Chapter 1

An Unexpected Sorting

For as far back as they could trace the family tree, which was centuries, all members of the Winchester family had been sorted into the house of Gryffindor. That was why Dean was absolutely horrified when his little brother hopped off the stool and moved towards his place at the Slytherin table. He watched wide-eyed as Sam accepted the handshake offered to him by Lucifer, Slytherin's Head Boy, then took the offered seat between Ruby and Meg. Even when the food appeared, and his favourite dishes of chicken and burgers began beckoning to him, he couldn't tear his eyes away. Benny and Cas chatted to each other quietly, leaving Dean to wrap his head around the fact that his little brother wouldn't be with him as much as he'd hoped for the year, but when the golden plates emptied and were replaced with dessert, Cas put a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder. Dean would never forgive them if they let him miss pie.

"He'll be okay." he said gently. "He only has to stay with the house at nights, and Balthazar and Raphael are over there. They won't let anything happen to him."

Slowly, green eyes swivelled back towards the table.

"I suppose you're right." he muttered, then dished himself a slice of pumpkin pie, a slice of apple and a slice of blueberry to drown his sorrows.

"He's right, brother." Benny agreed when Dean doesn't offer as much as a smile. "He's still a Winchester, he'll survive."

A tight smile is all he gets before Dean tears into the pie as though he'd never see anything like it again. Benny chuckled and Cas gave a light smile and they both slowly began to eat too.

The plates clear again before Dean can eat the last bite of blueberry pie and he let's out a high pitched whine. He thought it sounded rather manly, though Benny insisted it didn't sound human. Their friendly argument was cut short when the Headmaster, Professor Lupin, stood to give his welcoming speech.

"To our new students, welcome to Hogwarts and to our old students welcome back. Let's have another year of fun and learning." he waited for a few moments to ensure he had captured everyone's attention, then continued. "While many of you will have your house pride and you are all encouraged to earn points for your house, we at Hogwarts value relationships between all students without any divisions. You are encouraged to spend free time mixing with other houses."

He paused again, and Dean thought he saw worry in blue eyes, then he continued once more.

"On a more serious note, we must remind all students that any and all dark magic is forbidden." Lupin glanced towards the Slytherin house. "which is why it is forbidden to bring materials related to the dark arts within school grounds. I hope this rule is not broken again."

Then quickly, Lupin grinned as his hair flickered blue, then green, then yellow, then red in a nod to the houses in turn, then back to its usual brown.

"But I assure you, this is a fun place if you are willing to follow the rules, and I'm sure your professor's will teach you all about our place in this world in the best possible way. With that students, I bid you goodnight."

There was a symphony of chatter and scraping of chairs as the students rose to follow their instruction.

"Remind me why you're not in Ravenclaw." Dean joked as he leaned back in the plush chair beside the fire.

It was the first night and already Castiel was studying. He sat on the floor beside the fire, his large transfiguration volume open on his lap.

"We've got O. this year." Castiel reminded him with seriousness in his electric blue eyes. "Transfiguration is my worst subject, it's never too early to start."

"I think I'll be fine." Dean snorted, closing his eyes.

He was tired, but it was too early to go to bed and he didn't think he'd sleep anyway. He reckoned he'd be too busy thinking about Sam, fearing that the snakes over in Slytherin were harming him. He was all for house unity, but he didn't fancy being friends with someone who would stab him in the back for their own personal gain. But if that were the case, why was Sam sorted into that house? The sorting hat must have made a mistake or-

His thoughts were cut off as Benny sharply elbowed him in the ribs. His eyes shot open and he sat up, massaging where he had been hit. He fixed his friend with a glare.

"Lisa Braeden." he mouthed.

Dean turned around and sure enough, Hogwart's most beautiful lady was walking towards him and his little group of friends.

"Hi Dean." she said with a radiant grin. "Novak. Lafitte."

"H-hey Lisa." he smiled back, fearing that he had something stuck in his teeth.

"Hogsmeade weekend isn't far off."

"Actually, it is-" Cas began, but Dean stomped on his foot to shut him up before he could continue. Cas glared up at him but thankfully didn't say another word.

"Yeah I know." Dean nodded. "Who are you going with?"

"Hopefully with you." she said boldly.

Dean's smile widened.

"I'd love to."

"Great." Lisa said, leaning forward to press a kiss onto his cheek. "I can't wait."

Then she was leaving, sashaying as she walked back towards her friends.

"Okay, what just happened?" Benny asked, wide-eyed.

"I'm a fuckin' chick-magnet." Dean grinned, leaning back in the armchair once more.

His friends didn't need to know that he had spent a greater part of his summer owling her after his hurried and frankly embarrassing confession at King's Cross Station.

He had a feeling that this was going to be a very good year. He just wished Sam wore red rather than green.