The Witch and The Hunters

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Page count: 11

Sam drove them back to the motel, since Hermione and Dean had definitely crossed the "shouldn't drive" threshold — not drunk, just pleasantly warm and loose-limbed. The moment the Impala rolled to a stop, all three climbed out and headed up the metal stairs to their rooms.

Hermione unlocked hers. Sam paused at his. Dean lingered beside him.

Sam stared at him.

"You're not going with Hermione?"

Dean blinked. "Why would I do that?"

Sam actually snorted. "You do realise how thin the walls are, right?"

Dean froze. Hermione — who had been reaching for her door — dropped her beaded bag with a clatter. They both slowly turned their heads toward Sam like two kids caught stealing cookies.

Dean tried for blank, tough-guy stoic. It failed.

"What do you know?"

Sam raised an eyebrow at both of them. "I know the walls are thin."

Hermione swallowed. "How long have you known?"

"I've suspected something for a while," Sam said mildly. "But last night? Yeah, that confirmed it. And judging by what I overheard, this isn't exactly a new... arrangement."

Hermione shot Dean a murderous look. Dean shot Sam a murderous look. Sam looked delighted.

"Just curious," Sam added, leaning against his doorframe, "how long has this been going on?"

Dean shrugged with forced nonchalance. "Since the night we exorcised that demon."

Sam barked a laugh. "You mean the night you planned the deaths of twenty-three men."

Dean grimaced. Hermione tried very hard not to smile.

"Honestly," Sam continued, "it makes sense. You were weirdly cheerful the next morning." He smirked. "Too cheerful."

Hermione glared. Dean glared worse.

Sam just raised his hands in surrender. "Relax. It doesn't bother me."

Hermione blinked. "It... doesn't?"

"No," Sam said casually. "Just means I gotta knock before walking in, unless I want to see something traumatic."

Hermione threw him a filthy look. Sam only smiled sweetly at her.

"Is that why you decided to come with us?" he asked suddenly.

Hermione sighed, picking up her bag. "Partially. But mostly because hunting lets me learn things I wouldn't normally encounter... and because working with Hunters might help keep my people alive. If I can build a bridge between our worlds, then maybe fewer witches die needlessly."

Both brothers stared at her — taken off guard for once.

Before either could respond, Hermione slipped into her room.

Dean stood between his door and hers, clearly debating. Sam rolled his eyes.

"Oh, please," Sam muttered. "You're gonna sneak out in ten minutes anyway. Just go."

Dean didn't even pretend to argue. He stepped straight into Hermione's room.

"Be mindful of your neighbours!" Sam yelled after them, laughing.

Hermione's outraged swearing and Dean's deep, annoyed grumble echoed right back before the door slammed shut.

Inside, Hermione was scowling as she hung up her jacket. "Your brother is a menace."