Chapter 3

Brothers Adrift

Although Dean hated the professor, and the majority of students he was forced to share class with, he did enjoy potions to an extent and while he was no Ravenclaw, he was decent at the course. The vapour pouring from he and Crowley's potion was more a dark grey than a silver colour, but it wasn't a complete disaster. Dean was just thankful there were no green sparks like the ones coming from Benny's cauldron, or the sulphurous stench that filled the room from several failed batches. He felt pity for Cas in this assignment. The kid was much smarter than him in every way, but Balthazar's overenthusiastic stirring had failed explosively. Quite literally. Cas stood, robes tattered and hair singed, with a terrifying look of both disappointment and anger on his face. Dean made a note to avoid his friend until he had gotten his revenge from Balthazar.

"It doesn't look promising that I'll have a N.E. class." Rowena tutted. "Clean up then leave. You've all done enough damage for the day."

She sent one last pointed look at Castiel and Balthazar, then flourished from the room.

"I hate him!" Cas exploded as soon as they had left the dark potions classroom. "If we weren't related... God, I know Crowley is an assbutt, but at least he has some semblance of intelligence!"

Dean hid his laughter behind a faked cough while Benny didn't even try to hide his smirk. It wasn't often that Cas had a rant, but when he did it was worth listening to. He was the only person Dean knew that could make the word assbutt sound serious.

"Hey, at least you don't have to put up with him two classes in a row." Dean shrugged. "We get to hang out with Bobby, while he goes out to freeze in care of magical creatures."

"I hope he gets eaten by a hippogriff." Cas grumbled, but he still looked happier at the sentiment.

Defence Against the Dark Arts was a school favourite in terms of classes, an Dean blamed the teacher. Bobby, while maintaining a professional aura, always tried to make the classes as fun as possible. It was one of the more practical classes, and Dean just loved putting his skills to use.

While in most classes they tended to drift towards the back, Dean and his friends sat on the front row in Defence Against the Dark arts. Professor Singer waited until everyone was comfortable, then began his own speech about the importance of O. .

They spent the first class reading from the textbook they have been given.

"Unlike past exams, your O. have a lot more theory." Professor Singer said to the groans of the class. "And every spell, every way to banish a dark creature would never have been possible without research. It might be boring, but it is necessary."

Despite the seriousness of the exams, Dean and his friends still found themselves unable to concentrate on their curriculum. It was still the first day of school, and they were yet to get over the buzz of being together, and surrounded by nought but magic, after two long months of summer.

"Quiddich tryouts are soon." Benny noted as he highlighted a segment of his textbook. "I think I'm gonna try for Beater again."

"I'm chaser again." Dean smirked. "Well, it's not official. But my girlfriend is the Captain."

"Don't get ahead of yourself brother." Benny chuckled. "She only asked you for a date, and you could still screw up. You playin' this year Cas?"

"I'm more of a sidelines kind of guy." Castiel replied.

"And you're far too clumsy for high flying." Dean teased.

After class, Dean stayed behind for a catch up with his Uncle. He hadn't seen Bobby since the wedding, and that was at the beginning of summer, before they flew off to Romania with their father. He waved Benny and Cas away with the promise to catch up, knowing that Bobby was bound to mention the sorting.

"I bet you're glad that Jo's in Gryffindor." Dean grinned.

Jo Harvelle was Bobby's step daughter and Dean's new cousin, and he was glad at least one of the Winchester descended clan was sorted where they belonged.

"Yeah." Bobby smiled back at him. "I hear Sam's our first Slytherin?"

Dean's "yeah" must have sounded somewhat dejected, since Bobby fixed him with a glare.

"You go easy on that boy." he admonished. "He don't wanna be a Slytherin just as much as Cas don't wanna be a Novak, but sometimes we just gotta deal with the hand we get."

Dean nodded.

"I know." he agreed. "I know it doesn't make Sammy a bad person I just... I wanted him to be with me, ya know?"

"He's growing up Dean, and that means growing apart." Bobby replied sympathetically. "That's not always a bad thing, and he'll always be there, in the end. It might just take a little time."

Dean knew Bobby was right, but his life lesson went straight out the window when he finally made it to the Great Hall for lunch.

"I'm gonna go sit with Crowley at the Slytherin table." his brother muttered in his ear then, seeing the look of betrayal in his brothers eyes added, "I'm gonna be spending the next seven years in that House. I'd best get to know them.

Dean cursed Crowley to Hell and back, and accuse him of ignoring the deal they had made just an hour ago, but then he realised that at least he wasn't with Ruby and counted his blessings.

He didn't even know why he was so wary of Sam being friendly with her, he just had a gut instinct that she was bad news. Dean's instinct had never been wrong before.

Sorry guys, there's quite a lot of filler in here and there probably will be for the next few chapters just while I set the theme a bit more. Don't worry, the main story will be coming into it soon.

Thanks for reading and feel free to review!