SuperPotterLock - The Half-Blood Prince

An Excess of Phlegm

Cas watched the countryside flicker past the window as Dean drove.

'About another hour and we're home,' Dean said cheerfully, but Cas said nothing.

Cas had been tense the entire drive, his fist clenched on his knee, static in the air from trying to control his involuntary Shield Charm.

'It's gonna be okay, you know,' Dean said, in an attempt to soothe Cas. He put his hand over Cas's balled fist, and it relaxed ever so slightly.

'Yeah, maybe we should have just gone straight home,' Dean said guiltily. He just couldn't resist being allowed to drive. But to his surprise, Cas shook his head and spoke for the first time the whole journey.

'This is nice,' he said quietly.

Dean smiled and squeezed Cas's hand. 'You're gonna like it there, I think.'

Cas finally uncurled his fist and squeezed Dean's hand in return.

At last, they rounded into a sleepy village, then Dean took them down a long track. Cas felt when they passed under the protective charms around the property. His shoulders slumped and he finally let the tension ease from his muscles.

The track opened out onto a gravelly driveway, in front of a small bungalow covered in climbing plants that were blooming with sweet-smelling flowers.

Dean got out of the car first, yanking their trunks out of the back, and Cas stood in front of the house, taking it in.

'Come on,' said Dean, leading Cas up the path to the front door. He dragged the trunks through the door and into a long hallway. There were other doors dotted along the hallway, but Dean took them through the one immediately to their left.

'This is us,' Dean said.

Inside the bedroom, one wall was lined with windows and the one opposite had wardrobes with sliding doors. Two beds had been squeezed into it.

'We're sharing, I hope you don't mind,' Dean said, suddenly bashful.

'Not at all,' said Cas. 'Which is mine?'

'This one,' said Dean, indicating to the one nearest the door.

Cas nodded, took off his coat, and hung it on the hook on the back of the door.

'All right, let me give you the tour,' Dean grinned, leading Cas back out of the room.

'That's Bobby's room in there,' Dean said, gesturing at the closed door beside his. 'Bathroom through there, and Sam's up there.' Dean pointed up at the attic door, which opened just as they were passing under it.

'Hey, Cas,' Sam grinned, his head poking out over them.

'Hello, Sam,' Cas smiled.

Dean opened another door into a small kitchen and showed Cas where all the snacks were, then showed Cas through to an open plan living and dining room. There were French doors in the middle of the opposite wall, that opened out onto a patio, complete with outdoor furniture and grill. Past the patio was a sprawling garden, surrounded by tall trees and a pond with bench beside it.

'It's lovely,' Cas murmured.

'Thanks,' Dean grinned.

Cas wandered into the living room, then caught sight of the television in the living room. His eyes widened, and he approached it cautiously. 'I've seen these,' he said. 'They're like the portraits, right?'

'Sort of,' said Dean. 'Why don't you turn it on and see?'

Cas took a moment before he found the on button and pushed it. The television switched on and a man appeared, reading the news extremely loudly. Cas jumped and the glass in both the television and the French doors shattered.