SuperPotterLock- The Goblet of Fire

The Third Task

When they arrived back at Gryffindor Tower, Hermione, Ron and Castiel were waiting for them.

Cas immediately went to Harry and felt his head. 'Warm,' he said, 'but not too hot.'

'Thanks, I suppose,' said Harry, sitting down. He launched into an explanation of what they had seen in the Pensieve, while John fell asleep in an armchair.

John didn't sleep for long, and woke up a few hours later after again dreaming of the Dark Mark. Sherlock was still deliberating with the other Gryffindors when he woke, but John's eye went to Cas, who looked agitated and kept glancing over at him.

John rose from his seat. 'I'm going to get some fresh air,' he said loudly and deliberately, planting a kiss on Sherlock's cheek.

He pushed his way out of the portrait hole and wandered down to the courtyard, avoiding the teachers and Filch on patrol, smiling to himself at finding at least one positive use for his powers.

The cool night air washed over him as he snuck outside, and sat on the stone steps. He looked up at the clear sky. The constellations were easy to pick out, but just as they were beginning to show him something, the Dark Mark flashed into the sky, and John closed his eyes, heart in his mouth.

He felt a soothing energy behind him and smiled, assuming it was Sherlock, but when he opened his eyes, it was Cas standing there instead.

'John,' Cas said quietly, rubbing his arm.

'Cas,' said John. 'Take a seat - or a step.'

Cas sat down next to John but didn't say anything. John waited, but Cas stared straight ahead.

'Something on your mind, Cas?' John gently prompted. He could see Cas's hands shaking.

'I - um - could I ask you something?' Cas mumbled.

'Of course.'

Cas took a deep breath. 'You - your powers... do you ever worry you'll hurt someone?'

John blinked in surprise. 'All the time,' he admitted.

'How do you deal with that?'

John shrugged. 'It can't be helped for the most part, but I try to help more than I harm.'

'Does it ever go away?'

'Not so far,' John grimaced.

Cas sighed and hung his head.

'It helps that I have someone to share it with,' John said slowly, carefully choosing his words. 'Someone I can talk to if I'm having a bad day.'

Cas muttered something about Gabriel.

John stopped talking and let Cas take his time.

'You and Sherlock...' he said eventually.

'Mm?'

'Have you always - I mean, do you...?' he trailed off, embarrassed.

John smiled. 'Cas, are you asking me if I'm gay?' he said, amused.

Cas gave him a horrified look. 'I'm sorry, that's personal-'

'Cas, it's okay,' John said, holding out a placating hand. 'That's a good question, actually.'

'You mean, you don't know?' Cas asked, shocked.

'I've never really thought about it,' John shrugged. 'I never thought about anyone that way until Sherlock.'

'We were all very young when we met,' said Cas.

'That's true.'

Cas shifted uncomfortably. 'I am,' he said, so quietly John almost didn't hear him.