Dried Leather and Withered Flowers

Chapter 6

They're only a couple chapters into the first book when Dean decides they need to find a motel. Obviously, these are not books that are meant to be read while driving. Honestly, Dean would almost prefer not to read the books at all.

The kids are witches. Wizards? Warlocks? Whatever they are, they have magic and powers and seem to have been through a hell of a lot of shit.

Him and Sam stay up the entire night to finish that first book.

"'Oh, we will,' said Lea, and they were surprised at the grins that were spreading over the twins' faces. Harry picked up where she left off, 'They don't know we're not allowed to use magic at home. We're going to have a lot of fun with Dudley this summer...'"

The two lean back on their respective beds in the small rented room. Sam sets the finished book on the nightstand between them. Silence reigns for several moments.

"Well..." Sam starts to speak, but seems at a loss for words.

"At least we know why they're so damn weird." Dean groans, throwing an arm over his eyes.

"Dean, they're not weird." The taller brother scolds. "They're just-"

"Magic?"

The word hangs in the air as the two stare at one another. Eventually, Dean bursts into hysterical laughter.

"Holy fuck." He holds a hand to his chest as Sam watches him with an unamused expression. "Dad-Dad's kids are witches!"

Sam's lip twitches as he tries to remain stern. Another moment passes and his own stressed chuckles join the chorus. It's several minutes before the hunters are able to calm down once again.

"It's a good thing he's gone." His younger brother speaks much quietly this time, a frown marring his features. "He told you to kill me once. Imagine if he knew about them?"

The thought sobers Dean from any lingering amusement. John Winchester would have put a silver bullet through the twins' heads if he'd known them.

"Yeah." His response is barely more than a whisper.

"They're not like other witches."

Dean looks back at his brother. Sammy flips through the book they just finished again, brows furrowed.

"Well, yeah. Doesn't seem like they're getting their power from demons." Dean rolls onto his back, looking at the ceiling. He furrows his own brows as he thinks. "They're just born with it?"

"Seems like it." Sam sets the book aside again to pick up another. "Ready to find out what the hell the 'Chamber of Secrets' is?"

"Hell no." Dean scowls out his brother. Sam only holds the second book in the series up in response. Dean sighs. "Keep reading."

Neither of them were prepared to find out what the Chamber of Secrets was. It seems like being dragon smugglers, cursed-broom-riders, and professor killers wasn't enough for their psycho siblings. No . They had to go and become SIXTY FOOT SNAKE SLAYERS. Forget making it to thirty-five, Dean could feel himself growing gray hair with every word Sam reads.

Dean feels nauseous by the time they finish the second book. The kids were twelve . Twelve and fighting ghosts and being bitten by snakes. Fuck. How the hell does he learn how to raise two magic powered trouble magnets?

"So, when are we crossing the Atlantic and murdering the Dursleys?"

"What?" Dean turns his attention back to his brother, thoughts still on the basilisk that bit their kid sister.

"The aunt and uncle. The people that put bars on their window and a cat flap on their bedroom door? Who made them sleep in a closet for ten years?" Sam's expression is thunderous.