SuperPotterLock - The Order of the Phoenix

Percy and Padfoot

Dean woke early again, just after dawn, and decided to walk out in the grounds again. The cuts on the back of his hand still burned and he needed to clear his head. He passed Cas asleep on the sofa on his way out, but judging by the shadows under his eyes, he hadn't been asleep long, so Dean crept through the common room.

It was a crisp morning, just the way Dean liked it, but just as stepped onto the grass, Sherlock and John barged past him, each of them soaking wet.

'What-'

'John, wait!'

Dean turned and saw Sam sprinting towards him. 'What happened?' Dean asked.

Sam stopped to catch his breath. 'I wanted to see if John had water visions and, well, they fell in the lake. Actually, John fell in and Sherlock jumped in to get him.'

'Sounds like an interesting morning already,' Dean laughed.

'Sherlock didn't seem too happy about it,' Sam grimaced. 'I'd better go see if they're okay. See you later.'

Dean walked a lap of the lake, getting his fill of fresh air for the day. He knew that he and Cas would be spending most of their time in the library, so he wanted to have at least a glimpse of nature before they were shut up between the dusty shelves. When he was finished with his walk, he grabbed some toast from the Great Hall and climbed back up the stairs to collect his books. He opened his mouth when he reached the Fat Lady, but the portrait opened and Cas stumbled out. He too pushed past Dean and hurried down the stairs.

'Hey!' Dean called. 'Where are you going?' But Cas ignored him, so Dean followed him as best he could. He ran down several flights of stairs, but Cas disappeared through a corridor, leaving Dean spinning around, trying to figure out where he went. 'Damn it,' he muttered, then ran back up to Gryffindor Tower. He bumped into Harry, who was also on his way out with a letter in his hand. 'Harry, can I use the map?'

'Yeah, go ahead,' Harry shrugged.

'Thanks.' Dean went up to the dormitory and snatched the Marauder's Map from Harry's bedside table.

'It would be lovely if you could get your brother to tone it down a little,' John said from his bed. 'What are you doing?'

'Looking for Cas. I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.' He waited impatiently for the map to reveal itself, then raked it for Cas's name, which he found racing across the grounds. 'Where's he going?' He watched Cas run down a passageway and off the edge of the map.

'What's he doing in the Shrieking Shack?' John frowned, peering over Dean's shoulder.

'Is that what that is?'

'Yeah, look, that's where the Whomping Willow would be.'

'I'm gonna go find out. Mischief managed.' The map faded and Dean left it on Harry's bed.

Dean ran all the way back down the stairs, jumping them two at a time, and made his way over to the Whomping Willow. 'Immobulus!' he cried before the tree could take a swipe at him, and dove into the hole at the base of the trunk.

He had to stoop a lot more than he had before, but as he struggled through the passage, he saw a bright white light emanating from the end of it. It was so bright his eyes watered, and by the time he reached the opening, he had to close his eyes.

'Hello?' he called, shading his eyes from the brilliantly shining light. 'Cas, are you in here? What's going on?' Then something slammed into him with a huge force, throwing him into the wall. His arm scraped painfully against the wood and he cracked the back of his head. He fell to the floor, groaning and rubbing his head.