'You know, I could get used to this teaching lark', Dean said around the croissant that was currently in his mouth, Team Free Will sat at the teachers table at the head of the Great Hall that Wednesday morning. The lessons of the previous day had gone surprisingly well, with only a few points taken away from a small group of students, and one detention assigned due to a near fatal mistake made by a seventh year. Cas had informed them that the students apparently found them both intimidating and inspiring, and so were aiming to stay in their good books.

'I know what you mean', Sam agreed, spooning some more Cheerios into his mouth. 'There's a charm to teaching kids how to defend themselves right?' he clarifies, to which Dean nods. The three novice teachers had two free periods until their lesson after Break. Sam tried not to focus on his nerves, knowing that as they would be teaching creature lore, that he would be taking the reins.

The students shuffled into the room, taking their respective seats, and looking to their teachers at the front of the class. There had been no assigned textbook for the class that year (which was unusual), but Hermione Granger had been quite vocal in her assumption that the class would be primarily hands on and physical due to this.

Judging from the attire of the teachers, she wasn't wrong.

Castiel had remained in his usual suit and trench coat; the Winchesters however, were both donning sweatpants and loose t-shirts. The students themselves had been instructed to also wear similar clothing, clothing that was appropriate for physical activity – something many of the pureblood females had a problem with (after all, they had been taught that a lady should never get so active so as to work up an unappealing sweat).

'So, today we'll be working on creature lore', Sam started, going towards the projector. 'I know that we said that the physical lesson would be on Friday, and that is true for the most part. The bulk of your physical training will be then, however we'll be starting you with light exercise today', he informed them.

On the projector, a slide of a timetable popped up. 'This is your homework for the next two weeks. We will assign no other essays for that time', Sam said, pointing at the board. The timetable was a detailed regimen that the class had to follow for the next two weeks. Despite the groaning from the majority of the students, they all started to diligently copy the table down (remembering Dean's words of expectation of their attitude in the first lesson).

After that was done, and they looked back up, Sam continued. 'So, as you are probably all aware, when fighting people who have bad intentions, those people may not necessarily be… well, people', he said eloquently. 'If you come across a supernatural or magical being who can overpower you, the best thing would be to have knowledge on their weak points'.

A new slide popped up on the screen. 'We will teach you how to efficiently injure and/or kill the main arsenal of creatures we feel you may go up against in your life. The ones we will cover this term are: angels, demons, werewolves, vampires, shifters, and dementors. We have decided on these because they will put you on the offensive, and it is best to be prepared when facing them'.

Hermione raised her hand, and Sam called on her. 'Sir, I recognise that a lot of those creatures have often turned dark before, but I thought that there wasn't any sightings of demons or angels in thousands of years?' she asked, before looking at him expectantly for an answer.

With one raised eyebrow, he laughed. 'I can tell you now, even if that was true before, you can expect things to change soon'. With a sigh, his short burst of amusement gone, he exchanged looks with his brother.

'We have it on good authority that demon activity has increased, and will continue to do so over the next decade. You can be assured, with any deaths or casualties – let's say, the kind that comes with a magical war – will draw demons to a place like moths to a flame', he explained. 'Not only that, but with more deaths, there are more souls up for grabs. You'd be surprised at the amount of people who would literally sell their souls for menial things in times of war', he finished.

Draco raised his hand and spoke out before being called on, 'and what make you such an expert on demon activity?' he asked pompously.

Dean barked out laughter, the sound hollow and empty of actual humour, before answering. 'Well, seeing as I have actually been to hell, and Sammy has met the King of Hell… I'd say we know a lot about demons'. Hushed conversation broke out amongst the students, shock permeating the room. There was no doubt in their minds that Dean was speaking the truth, and this in itself was terrifying. A man who had been to hell, and come out sane (at least outwardly) stood before them.

'You've been to hell and back?' a girl near the back of the class whimpered. 'How?' the word slipped from her mouth in breathy fear.

'Well, that leads to the second part of young Miss Granger's question', Dean said, smiling at the kids in front of him like he didn't just tell them that he was a person back from the dead. 'My ass was pulled from hell by an angel', he told them, lifting up his t-shirt sleeve to show them a large burnt hand mark on his shoulder. Some students who had burnt themselves before winced in empathy, the mark looked like it hurt – then again, he'd been to hell, so it must have been welcomed if it meant he was out.

'And that leads on perfectly to today's lesson folks!' Sam said cheerfully. 'Today, we'll be learning how to stop an angel in smiting mode', he smiled. 'And get this. We're in luck, because we have our own angel to use instead of a diagram!'

Students throughout the room straightened in their seats, excitement on their faces… they were going to see a real angel, right in front of their eyes! Hermione Granger looked at the teachers in front of her, thought about the name of one and a book she had read years before, and gasped with a very audible 'oh!' which drew attention to her.

Smiling toothily at her (flashing his dimples in the process), Sam stated, 'well, it seems Miss Granger has worked it out. Care to inform the rest of the class?' he offered.

'Well, I don't suppose… it's just off something I read a while back… but… Castiel, the angel of Thursday?' she finished, voice teetering to become questioning at the end.

The heads that had been facing her swivelled back to the front in disbelief. Dean stalked forward and threw an arm around his angel's neck, ruffling his hair. 'Yup, you heard it here first folks. You have an angel for a teacher', he joked, ignoring Cas' exasperated look.

'Dean', he intoned, 'perhaps we should begin with the lesson?'.

'Yeah yeah, let's get on with it', Dean agreed. The student's, he noticed, all had their quills poised, and he smirked. Of course, they wouldn't be teaching the kids how to kill an angel until they absolutely had to… you could never take too many precautions, and no way would he let anyone in on how to kill Cas.

Huffing in exertion, the kids began to leave the room. The second half of the double period had been spent with them in pairs, with wooden 'angel blades' to practice on each other – when one student had suggested that they demonstrate the techniques taught on Castiel, Dean had blown up. There was no doubt in anyone's mind now that the three men would protect each other to the death, and some of the more intuitive students suspected there was a relationship between the angel and the older Winchester.

Harry fell back as the student's left, taking his time to pack up his stuff, and his friends followed his lead. As the final students floated out of the classroom, he walked up to Sam (who was the most approachable in his opinion) and handed him the parchment in his hand.

'This is a list of the people who will join me for extra training, and the reason why they're on the list. Is that okay?' he asked. Sam scanned over the writing.

Extra training

Hermione Granger (known best friend)

Ron Weasley (known best friend)

Fred, George and Ginny Weasley (family known to be 'blood traitors' and affiliated with me)

Neville Longbottom (very close friend – feel like he needs to be there)

Luna Lovegood (Ginny's friend; father writes out against Voldemort)

'Yeah, that seems to be fine Harry', Sam agreed, handing the list to his brother and his brother's partner so that they could look over it. They both nodded in assent.

'Where will we be training?' Hermione asked, looking around the classroom. 'Wouldn't it be fairly difficult to train in here?'.

'Yes, it would be', Castiel said. 'That is why we will be training in what is called the Room of Requirement. A group of elves informed me about the room, and it seems like the perfect place to train in. You will come to the seventh floor next to the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy at nine o'clock after breakfast on Saturday. Please do not be late'. Castiel then walked off to the office, Dean trailing behind him.

Sam grinned at the gobsmacked students. 'Don't worry, he's always abrupt like that', he chuckled, amused at their reactions. They left the room (Sam heard Hermione babbling to Ron about the room and how it was in Hogwarts: A History), before he called out to Harry.

The young boy, stood in the doorway as his friends walked on, looked back at the tall teacher. 'I just wanted to let you know, if there's anything you want to talk about, you can talk to me', Sam offered. 'I personally know what it's like to have the weight of the world on your shoulders, so feel free to come to me whenever you need'.

Harry stared at the teacher, his bright green eyes seeming to measure Sam's sincerity and worth. After a couple of tense moments, he nodded in assent, and left the room, the door closing quietly behind him.

Sam released the breath he hadn't realised he'd been holding.

A/N so yeah, another chapter. Basically, I'm procrastinating because I have an essay to write for uni, and I really cba. Also, I just read a super-fluffly manga (called Haru Matsu Bokura for those of you who want to know), and as a result, am not feeling very educational right now. I'm more feeling 'When will my prince come for me' :'D