Back to the Burrow

The next morning, John and Sherlock hastily ate their breakfast and helped Melly put all their camping equipment by the front door.

Around mid-morning, Sherlock shushed John, straightening. 'What's that?' he said. The sound got louder.

'I think it's a car,' said John 'Maybe Dean's here already.'

They went outside just as a huge black car came purring up the driveway. It stopped short of the front steps and the passenger door opened.

'Hey, guys!' Dean called, waving.

An older man in a cap, and a small boy also got out of the car.

Dean went around the back of the car and began unloading it.

'You got everything you need?' said the man, ''Cause I ain't comin' back here.'

'Yeah, Bobby, we're cool,' said Dean. 'Come help me with these bags.'

'You remembered to bring the screen for Cas?' said the boy, standing on his toes to see into the boot.

'Yeah, of course I did, come on guys, what do you take me for?'

'Jeez, Dean, relax.'

'You relax.'

The boy rolled his eyes and brought some of the bags over to John and Sherlock. 'Hey, I'm Sam,' he said, smiling at them.

'John.'

'Sherlock.'

'Thanks for letting us stay here,' said Dean, lugging over the bag containing their tent. 'So what's the plan?'

'We're still waiting for Castiel, then we're going over to the Weasleys',' said Sherlock. 'We're staying the night with them. It'll be easier and they're closer to the Portkey.'

'The what?' said John.

'Magical transportation,' Sherlock explained. 'A little like Apparating, but for large groups of people.'

'Oh, okay.'

Dean looked up at Sherlock's house. 'This is some place you got here,' he said appreciatively.

Sherlock shrugged.

'Okay, I think that's it, Bobby,' Dean called.

'See you in a few months, then,' Bobby got back in the car and drove away.

'Nice car,' said John.

'Thanks. It's my dad's.'

Melly then appeared at the door. 'Can Melly help sirs with their bags?' she squeaked.

'Nice to meet you, Melly,' said Dean. 'You can help Sam with his trunk, but we should leave the tent outside.'

'I don't need help,' Sam grumbled.

'Are you kidding? The thing's bigger than you,' Dean shot back.

'It is no trouble, sir.' Melly clicked her fingers and Sam's school trunk floated into the house.

Sam scowled at Dean, who grinned back smugly, and followed Melly into the house.

'How long till Cas gets here?' Dean asked.

John squinted down the driveway. 'Around lunchtime, I think,' he said.

'Cool.'

A couple hours passed. Sherlock showed the Winchesters where they'd be staying and Melly began preparing lunch. The doorbell rang just as Melly put a plate of sandwiches down on the kitchen table.

'That'll be Cas,' said Dean, stuffing a sandwich in his mouth. 'I'll go get him.' Dean wiped his hands on his jeans and sauntered down the hall, but when he pulled open the door, he was greeted by the sales witch from Magical Menagerie.

'Hi, I'm looking for John Watson,' she said, holding up a big glass tank, with a large toad sitting contentedly inside.

Dean stared at it. 'Uh, John,' he called, 'there's a – toad here to see you.'

John came down the hallway, followed by Sherlock. 'Great, I was hoping she would get here before we go.'

'Okay, I just need you to sign this.' She dumped the tank into Sherlock's arms and pulled out a quill and parchment. 'And she's all yours.'

'Great,' John smiled. He signed the parchment and handed it back.

'So, what are you going to name her?' asked the witch.

'Oh, er, I hadn't really thought about it.' He looked at the toad's ugly face. 'I think – I think I'll call her Dolly,' said John, imagining a little bow on her head.

Sherlock scoffed and John raised an eyebrow.

'Excuse me, is there a problem?' said John

'No, not at all,' said Sherlock, clearly struggling to keep his face impassive.

They burst into giggles.

'Is that a toad?'

They looked up and saw Castiel standing there. He was wearing his ever-present trench coat, only now it fit much better since he seemed to have grown half a foot at least since the last time they had seen him. The effect of such a growth spurt made him look painfully thin, but now he was the same height as Sherlock, if not taller.

'I'd better be going,' said the witch, and she Disapparated.

'Cas!' Dean exclaimed. He moved and gave Cas a hug, slapping him on the back.

'Ouch,' Cas hissed through his teeth.

'What?' said Dean, pulling away.

'I have a bruise on that shoulder. I fell out of bed.'

'Oh, okay. What about this?' He pointed at a small graze along Castiel's jawline.

'Oh. I must have picked that up on the Knight Bus. That thing is a death trap.'

'Right.' Dean stared at him for a moment, then grinned. 'Come meet my brother, he's just in the kitchen.' Dean led him through the door, leaving John and Sherlock outside.

Sherlock turned to go inside, but John didn't move. He was looking up at the sky.

'What's wrong?' Sherlock asked.

'I was hoping to hear from Dumbledore today. But I suppose it'll have to wait now.' He sighed and took Dolly and her tank from Sherlock. 'Come on. Let's finish our lunch, then we can go over to the Weasleys'.'

A couple of hours later they were all at the door with their bags.

'You got yours, Sam?' said Dean. 'I can carry it, if you want. Here-'

'Dean, stop,' Sam complained, struggling to get the straps of the bag over his shoulders.

'At least let me-' He reached out to adjust the straps but Sam moved away.

'Get off! I'm eleven now, Dean, I don't need your help,' he grumbled.

'Okay, fine!' Dean said, suppressing laughter. 'I'll leave you alone. Everyone ready?'

'Yeah, I think so,' said John. 'Let's go.'

Sherlock led the way through the village, since he was the only one that knew he way. It was very quiet, with little traffic, and the atmosphere compelled the five of them to remain silent as they walked. Soon, they were outside the village and walking through the lanes that ran alongside lush fields and tall trees. The walk itself was quite pleasant and John smiled as they finally came to the house. As soon as he saw it, he knew the Weasleys couldn't possible live anywhere else.

The building looked as if it used to be a large stone pigpen, but extra rooms had been added here and there, until it was several stories high and so crooked, the only way it could still be standing was if it was held up by magic. Five chimneys were perched on top of the red roof. A lopsided wooden sign stuck in the ground near the entrance read, THE BURROW.

They walked past a small yard and a garage that presumably had held Mr Weasley's flying Ford Anglia. Since it was now running wild somewhere in the Forbidden Forest, the garage was now a storage space for Mr Weasley's collection of Muggle artefacts. Judging by the odd assortment of plugs, batteries and a chunky, broken TV lying by the door, it seemed he had a lot.

Sherlock knocked on the front door, which was immediately opened by the plump Mrs Weasley, wooden spoon in hand.

'Sherlock!' she cried, wrapping her arms around him 'It's so lovely to see you. Come in, come in!' She waved them all inside. 'Why didn't you send a note over and let us know you were coming?' she said, bustling around the cosy living room, straightening cushions.

'Greg is already out on a delivery,' Sherlock said apologetically.

'Not to worry, not to worry. Come through to the kitchen – just leave your things here – and you can introduce us to your friends.'

The kitchen was already packed with Hermione and every single Weasley, including a couple of extras it seemed.

'It's good to see you again, Mr Weasley,' said Dean, going over to shake his hand.

'Oh, yes. Hello, Dean, I didn't realise you were coming,' said Mr Weasley. 'I do hope you're not trying to charm me into talking more about those firearms of your father's.'

'Oh, no, no. Between us, Mr Weasley, I don't think they're such a great idea myself, but Dad wants what he wants.'

Suddenly they both became aware of everyone in the room staring at them.

'You know my dad?' said Ron.

'Sure, I do,' said Dean. 'Your dad's an expert on No-Maj – Muggle – relations and law. MACUSA consults with him on lots of things, and we generally model our laws after the ones he's written. You guys didn't know that?'

All of the Weasley children looked significantly impressed.

'What's MACUSA?' said John.

'Magical Congress of the United States of America,' said Dean. 'Anyway, let's see. There are more Weasleys in here than I remember, who haven't I met?'

Two of the elder Weasleys stood up and introduced themselves. First was Charlie. Freckly, weather-beaten, and just as red-haired as the rest of his family. He shook everyone's hand and the large, shiny burn on his upper arm indicated his work as a dragon tamer.

Then was Bill. Surprisingly informal for someone who worked for the bank, he had a long ponytail, and a fang in one of his ears as an earring.

'Oh, right. Everyone, this is my brother Sam. He starts Hogwarts this year,' Dean grinned.

'Oh, how lovely,' Mrs Weasley smiled 'You'll have a great time.' She then cast her gaze over Castiel and tutted. 'Really, you and Sherlock are just as bad as each other. Here.' She waved her wand and ingredients flew out of different cupboards, then made themselves into sandwiches. 'Eat these. They'll tide you over until dinner.'

'Thank you,' said Cas, taking a small bite of one.

Mr Weasley checked his watch, then suddenly jumped to his feet. 'We're late!' he exclaimed. 'We have to go, quick boys.'

Mr Weasley, Fred, George and Ron all dashed over to the fireplace and took turns yelling, 'Number four, Privet Drive!' and disappearing up the chimney.

Once they were gone, the rest of the Weasleys dispersed, leaving Bill, Charlie and Hermione at the table. The rest of the boys took the empty seats.

'So, are you all excited for the match?' asked Charlie.

'Oh yeah,' said Dean, nodding enthusiastically. 'We never get to go to these things.'

While Charlie, Sam and Dean talked about the upcoming match, John watched Cas get up and throw away the sandwich he'd had one bite of.

'Are you okay?' John murmured as he sat back down.

'I'm fine. I'm just not hungry,' he mumbled back 'I'd rather wait for dinner.'

'You know, I've read some things about MACUSA,' Hermione said to Dean. 'Didn't they outlaw relations with Muggles?'

Dean blinked a few times. 'How old are the books you've been reading?' he said defensively. 'That was changed decades ago.'

'Really?'

'Well yeah, otherwise me and Sam wouldn't be here. Our mom was a Muggle.'

'Oh.'

'Seriously, Hermione, some of the stuff you got over here is really outdated.'

Mrs Weasley returned to pass around some drinks, then left again.

'I have a question,' Sam piped up. 'John, are you really a Seer?'

Everyone at the table looked at John, who fidgeted uncomfortably. 'Erm, yes, I suppose I am.'

Sam's eyes widened. 'Really? That's awesome! So you can see the future?'

'Among other things.'

'Like what?'

Despite his discomfort, John couldn't help but smile at Sam's enthusiasm. 'I can see the past, so for example, yesterday you…' He stared at Sam until the room shifted and he saw Sam sitting next to a bookcase. 'You were reading the Standard Book of Spells Grade 2. Already?' He snapped back to the present, with Sam grinning excitedly.

'You've been practicing,' Hermione said approvingly.

'Yeah. I can't really force it very far either way. Looking into the past is easier than the future. Sometimes it happens on its own, but when that happens, it's really hard to tell what sort of time it is.'

'That sounds… difficult,' said Hermione.

'Well, I don't think it's supposed to be easy,' he shrugged, taking a sip of his water. Just then, he felt a tingling, like static electricity, on his scalp. 'I think someone's about to come back.'

First Fred came out of the fireplace, then George with Harry's trunk. They sat down, then Ron came through.

'You dropped that on purpose,' Ron grinned.

'Well, someone has to test them,' said Fred, grinning back.

'Dropped what?' said John.

Before Fred could answer, Harry came flying out of the fireplace.

Welcome back everyone! Thanks to Sherlock Harry Winchester, TimedragonD, WizardingWhovian, Guest and DaughterofMagic3 for the lovely reviews, it really brightens up my day :) I'ts been four years since I started this series, how crazy is that! See you all next time!