SuperPotterLock - The Half-Blood Prince

Draco's Detour

As the days passed, Cas became more and more relaxed. He spent as much time as possible outside, his skin browning in the sun. He ate all of his meals, wolfing them down, as though he had never eaten before. There was colour in his cheeks, and a sparkle in his eyes, and when Dean hugged him, he could no longer feel the bones of Cas's spine beneath his fingers. Though his waking hours were calm and quiet, his fears still came for him in his dreams.

Dean was woken, more often than not, by Cas tossing and turning, and whimpering in his sleep. He didn't seem bothered by it, however.

'I think I just need time,' Cas said, when Dean asked him about his nightmares. 'The more time passes, the further away everything that - that happened to me will seem. It'll fade.'

'You sure?' Dean asked, watching him spoon cereal into his mouth. 'You don't want me to make you a sleeping potion or something?'

Cas shook his head. 'Hiding from it won't help. I think we've all learned that lesson by now.'

Dean nodded. 'All right, well let me know if you change your mind,' he said, kissing Cas lightly on the cheek.

Then, Cas's fragile confidence was shattered.

There was a knock at the door one afternoon. Dean was in the kitchen, Sam in the attic, and Cas out on the garden, so Dean hurried down the hallway to answer it.

A man he didn't recognise, but seemed familiar, was standing on the doorstep. He smiled politely, then Dean suddenly realised who he was.

'Michael,' Dean said, dread gathering in his stomach. 'How did you get past the boundary charms?'

'Your father let me pass' he said lightly. 'May I come in?'

'What for?' Dean said, stubbornly standing in the doorway, blocking him.

A flash of anger crossed his face, but it was soon smoothed by a cool expression. 'I'm here to see my brother.'

Dean narrowed his eyes. 'If you touch him-'

'I mean him no harm.'

Dean drew out his wand, holding it in plain view, then gestured for Michael to follow him inside.

'Wait here,' Dean said sharply once they were in the kitchen. He left Michael there and opened the French doors in the living room. 'Cas?' he called, and Cas appeared from behind a rose bush. 'You'd better come in here.'

Cas's smile dropped when he saw the wand in Dean's hand, and he went into his pocket for his jar. He got as far as the door to the kitchen and froze when he saw Michael.

'Castiel,' Michael said. 'How are you?'

Cas didn't answer.

'Okay, you saw him, now you can go,' Dean said. Michael ignored him.

'How did you do on your exams? You should have had your results by now.'

Cas stared at his feet, then after a moment of silence, mumbled, 'I got nine O.W.Ls.'

'Well done.'

Cas glanced up at him, then back down at the ground. He took a deep breath. 'What do you want?' he asked, a slight tremble in his voice.

'I just want to take you home,' Michael said softly, and Cas's head snapped up, his eyes wide.

'You - you mean back - back there?'

A tiny frown tugged at Michael's lips as he struggled to keep his face neutral and non-threatening.

'Yes, Castiel, back to our house. The one our father was gracious enough to let you live in all these years.'