SuperPotterLock - The Half-Blood Prince

Snape Victorious

John slowly approached the carriages with his fingers tightly squeezing Sherlock's wrist. He could see the Thestrals properly now, without the odd shimmering veil he'd seen them through before. He shuddered as he saw Sirius again, as he had an innumerable amount of times over the summer, constantly being reminded of his failure, his fingers inches from Sirius before he'd fallen.

Cas and Dean waited patiently for them, saving a carriage for them. John was grateful for this; Cas's power always had a soothing effect on him, and though it didn't block everything out, it dulled things enough for him to be able to climb into the carriage and travel up to the castle. As they did so, John briefly saw the Dark Mark hovering over the Astronomy tower, and his stomach lurched. Sherlock squeezed the soft spot in his palm for him, and the Mark faded away.

As they approached the castle, even Cas's power wasn't enough to dull the noise coming from the gathering students, and their futures assaulted him once more.

I can't do this, he thought, his heart racing.

You must, came Sherlock's voice in his head.

John nodded. Despite the fear and pain, he had still been drawn back to Hogwarts, though he would have been more than happy to stay at Baker Street. He didn't know why he had to come back, but Sherlock was determined to find out, and after everything Sherlock had done for him, he owed him this at least. He closed his eyes for the last few minutes of the carriage drive, steadying his breathing and pushing away what visions he could.

Sherlock dragged him through the Entrance Hall, but had to let go of him when they approached the Great Hall. He gave John a regretful look before making his way to the Ravenclaw table. John was rooted to the spot for a moment before Dean guided him to a seat at the Gryffindor table.

He paid no attention to anyone, until he heard Hermione say, 'Where's Harry?'

John looked up. He hadn't noticed that Harry wasn't in the room. John tried to find him, but as he looked around the room, colours blurred his eyes and everything wavered. He closed his eyes again, his head pounding, but the pain didn't stop. His jaw clenched and he pounded the table with his fist. Then, he felt Cas's power seize him and dull the pain. He let out a long breath and looked over at Cas. His palm was glowing, and he appeared to be in deep concentration, but John gave him a grateful smile.

Cas kept it up all the way through the Sorting, and allowed John to get something to eat, but he was eventually drained, and couldn't continue from across the room. The light in his palm sputtered out, and he dropped his hand heavily.

Tell him I appreciate it, John whispered in Sherlock's head, and he saw Cas smile.

It wasn't long before it all came flooding back, but the break Cas had given him allowed him to gather a little of his strength to block some of it out.

At least, Harry arrived, all but running between the house tables and squeezing his way between Ron and Hermione.

'Where've you - blimey, what've you done to your face?' said Ron, goggling at him, along with everyone else in the vicinity.

'Why, what's wrong with it?' said Harry, grabbing a spoon and squinting at his reflection.

'You're covered in blood!' said Hermione.

John blinked and felt Dean shiver beside him. Dean had gone pale at the unexpected sight of so much blood, and John could see Cas watching him in concern.

Is he all right? he heard Sherlock whisper.

John gently tugged on Dean's sleeve, breaking him out of his reverie.