Chapter 22

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no go."-The Marauder's Map

The summer months progressed much in this same fashion, Dean and Sam teaching Jamie how to hunt, and self defence, and Sirius and Remus teaching Jamie and Sam magic. During their magic lessons, Dean would either disappear and make out with Castiel behind the garage, or sit cleaning his weapons. Quickly, his favorite weapon became the dagger that Missouri had given him, the one that was Gobiln made. Jamie would occasionally go on easy hunts with his brothers, but for the most part, he was a full time student, of both hunting and magic. Even though his real birthday was Halloween, his family planned to celebrate his birthday of July 31st, because his adoptive parents died on Halloween. On his birthday, Sam gave Jamie a book about some of the monsters that they hunted, and their equivalent in the magical world, and how to counter them. Dean gave him ammo for his revolver, a sword that was hidden in a magically expanding backpack, and a couple of hair ties, because like Sam, Jamie did not want to cut his hair. John gave his son a protective amulet, and Bobby gave him a book on Latin. Sirius and Remus chose very different gifts from the ones of his hunter family. The wizards gave him a magical knife that could unlock anything, a box of chocolate, and a magical mirror that acted kinda like a phone.

Overall, it was the best birthday that Jamie had ever had, but everything for the small family wasn't as great as that day. John and Bobby were never really there, but Jamie knew that if he needed them, they would be there, and Sam and Dean still bitched at eachother, but not as much as they used to. Jamie thought that that may have been due to Dean disappearing when he and Sam had magic lessons . He knew that Dean was falling head over heels for the Angel Castiel, and he also knew that Dean did not want anyone to find out about it due to how John had raised him. Jamie though, thought that it didn't matter who his brother loved, as long as he was happy.

Soon it came time for Jamie to get his school list, which arrived by mail, and not owl. The letter read:

Mr. James O. Winchester,

Welcome to Salem Boys Institute, we are really excited to welcome you to our small school. You will be going into second year, and this letter is a portkey, so please don't lose it. Each year has about ten students, and we share curriculum with the Salem Girls' Institute, and at the end of the year, after exams, we have a joint dance. We are rated the safest magical school in the world, so our students thrive in our environment, which we change every year. We do not have uniforms, because Salem is a town that is both Magical and Non-Magical, and we do not like sticking out, Salem has done that before. Here is what you need:

A wand

"One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi"

"Numerology and Grammatica"

"Standard Book of Spells: Grade 2"

"Latin Dictionary"

A pet of some kind, because you will miss home

A way to contact your family

Scales

Potion making kit

Dragonhide gloves

A broom

We firmly believe that the families of our students help create a better learning environment, so every three weeks we invite families to come visit their students. Looking forward to having you as a student!

Your's in Guidence,

Lucas Picquery

Headmaster of Salem Boys' Institution

Luckily, Jamie had almost everything that was on his list, he just had to get the Latin dictionary, and the Numerology and Grammatica, he figured that he was going to have to go shopping for that, until Hedwig flew through his window with a package in her talons. Jamie gently removed it, and opened the brown paper. Inside were the two books he needed, along with a new potions kit, and a letter. The letter was from Snape, and it read:

Hello Brat,

Happy Birthday. I am sorry that I could not be there, but the toad is tightening his leash on his few pawns that are left. To think that I will make it through this school year is insane. I think I may take ill around Christmas, and have to resign, and take a mandatory holiday in the plains of America. On the second day of Yule, I will meet you at the fountain of the campus of Baylor University. Also, there is a missing criminal from Askaban, who will need the blue vial in the potion kit. The potion is a mood stablizer, and should counteract the effects of the dementors. Please, call me Severus, for I am no longer your professor. I would also like to, when I get there, make the Wolfsbane potion for Remus, because I know he is there. Maybe with not having to teach these dunderheads, I can try to find a cure for Lycanthropy. Again, many birthday wishes

Remember, stay safe, and check your mail,

S. Snape

Jamie smiled when he read Snape's letter, and rushed downstairs with the blue vial to give to Sirius.

"What is this, pup?" Sirius asked, as Jamie pressed the vial into his hand.

"It is a mood stabilizer from one of my allies."

Sirius uncorked the vial, and sniffed it, Remus also sniffed it, but the bottle and not the potion.

"That was brewed by Snape," Remus stated, and Jamie nodded. Knowing that he could trust Snape, due to Jamie's letters, Sirius tossed the potion back, and swallowed it in one gulp, and he shuttered as he felt the potion go down his throat and settle into his stomach, and he felt it starting to work.

"Wow, I forgot how good Snape was at potions, what did your newest letter say, pup?"

He told me that Dumbledore is tightening his hold on Hogwarts, and that he is going to try to get here around Christmas/Yule time, and that he would be more then happy to brew the Wolfsbane potion for you, Remus, when he is here.

"Wow, Severus has definitely changed," Sirius commented.

"Yeah, he took a vow to keep me safe, and he wants to keep me safe from the old troll."

"Well he is not the only one."