13.
The bank’s heavy brass doors swung open with a deep, echoing groan as the little goblin pulled the handle. Dana stayed close to Sam, her eyes wide as she took in the imposing interior. The bank’s ceiling seemed to reach the heavens, decorated with intricate gold patterns that seemed to be in motion. Gleaming marble floors reflected the light of floating lamps, and dozens of goblins sat at long counters, writing, calculating, and serving customers.
A goblin with glasses balanced askew on his long nose walked toward them. He wore a tight, deep blue coat that seemed a little too big for him, and his manner was both stern and professional.
“Welcome to Gringotts, Kansas City,” he said, his voice sharper than expected. “My name is Axan. How may I help you?”
Rowena stepped forward, her chin held high. "Greetings master Goblin. My name is Rowena MacLeod. I am here with Sam and Dean Winchester and Dana Potter. We do not have an appointment. However, this girl," she gestured to Dana, "is here for an inheritance test. She is new to our world and needs guidance."
Axan looked at the group, his sharp eyes gleaming. He nodded slowly as if he had noticed something important. "Of course. Please follow me."
The group followed Axan down a marble hallway that led to a smaller, private room. A massive desk stood in the center, and old paintings of prominent goblins hung on the wall. Dana sat nervously in a chair, while the others stood around her.
Axan sat behind the desk and opened a large, dusty book. He quickly wrote something on a page, then pulled out a small silver bowl and a small knife.
"For the inheritance test, we need a drop of blood," he explained, looking at Dana. Sam knelt beside her and smiled reassuringly. "It's just a little prick. I'll stay with you."
Dana nodded, her lower lip trembling slightly. Axan made a quick, precise cut on her finger and caught a drop of blood in the bowl. As soon as the blood hit the bottom, it glowed bright red. Runes appeared on the side of the bowl, quickly translating into a list of names and information.
The goblin studied the runes intently. "Interesting... Very interesting," he muttered. Dean frowned. "What's interesting? That never sounds good."
Axan looked up, his face stern. "This child, Dana Lilian Potter, is the heiress of several ancient wizarding families. Her parents, Lily and James Potter, have left considerable estates, including property and a considerable amount of gold."
Rowena raised her eyebrows. "So her parents were of status?"
"Indeed," Axan confirmed. "Besides... there's something special about her."
He walked over to another device and pulled out a silver scepter. "I need to check something. Stay still, girl. This won't hurt."
Dana looked at Sam uncertainly, but remained seated as Axan brought the scepter to her forehead, right on the lightning-bolt scar. As the metal touched the scar, it glowed bright green and dark shadows shot across the room. A low, sinister growl rang out, and everyone flinched.
Axan hastily withdrew his hand. "I knew it," he whispered.
"What's that?" Dean asked sharply, pulling Dana closer to him. Axan looked at him, his gaze somber. "That scar... is a fragment of a soul. The child carries part of the soul of a dark wizard. It's a horcrux."
“A what now?” came both Sam and Dean’s question, while Rowena gasped.
Axan took a deep breath, his sharp face even more serious. "A Horcrux. An object that stores a fragment of someone's soul. It's used to evade death." Dean frowned at the scar on Dana's forehead. "You mean... that thing in her scar... is a piece of someone else?"
"Exactly," Axan replied with a small nod. "A Horcrux is dark magic of the worst kind. It requires murder to split a soul. Only the most evil of sorcerers would attempt it."
Dana cringed and looked at Sam, her eyes shining with tears. "Does that... mean I'm evil?" Sam crouched down beside her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "No, Dana. That doesn't mean you're evil at all. This isn't your fault. This is something that was done to you."
Dean sighed heavily and rubbed his face. "Who would do such a thing? And why to a child?" Rowena leaned against the wall and crossed her arms. "If I may hazard a guess, the scar is from the hand of a dark wizard who tried to kill her. Voldemort.”
The name seemed to freeze the air. Axan looked sharply at Rowena. "You speak the name?"
Rowena nodded slowly. "I have heard of him, yes. And fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself. Anyway, he was a dark wizard who sowed chaos in Britain, he is believed to be dead.” Axan frowned. "It is unknown why he specifically targeted the Potters. There has been speculation, but no one knows for sure why he targeted them."
Dean looked from Axan to Rowena. "What does it matter why? He attacked them, and now we have this problem." He waved at the scar on Dana’s head.
"It does matter," Rowena replied, her tone sharp. "Motives can reveal what he was after, and why Dana might still be in danger. Voldemort did nothing without a reason."
Dana pulled her knees up and looked at Rowena with wide eyes. "But I never knew him. Why would he want to hurt me?" Sam placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We don't know, Dana. But what we do know is that he didn't get you. And he never will."
Rowena looked at Axan. "If this is a Horcrux... how dangerous is it for her?"
"The danger is twofold," Axan said somberly. "The fragment of his soul can affect her mind, though it seems she hasn't had much trouble with it so far. But as long as the fragment remains, she will remain connected to him. If he were ever to return, he could possibly sense her presence."
Dean glared at the scar as if he could destroy it through sheer force of will. "So how do we get rid of it?"
Axan shook his head. "Destroying a Horcrux is extremely complex. It requires a powerful magical object or substance that can destroy even the soul itself. And even then, the process is dangerous."
"And Dana?" Sam asked, his voice soft. "What happens to her if that thing is destroyed?"
"If done correctly, she should be unharmed," Axan said. "But there are no guarantees. This kind of magic is rare, even in our world. I will look into the matter and get back to you.”
Rowena sighed and leaned against the wall. "This isn't something we can solve today. What we need to do now is protect her. Get her officially adopted and strengthen her position in the magical world. That's the first step." Dana looked uncertainly at Sam and Dean. "Adopt? What does that mean?"
Dean crouched down next to her, his green eyes soft but determined. "It means that we're officially taking care of you. That no one can take you away from us, that you're safe. Do you understand?"
Dana frowned, her gaze darting between Dean and Sam. "So... you want me to stay with you?"
Sam nodded, a warm smile on his face. "Yes, Dana. We really want that. But we want you to want that too. This is your choice."
Her bottom lip trembled as she let the words sink in. "But... I'm different. What if I cause trouble?" Dean let out a soft, husky laugh. "Kid, causing trouble is what we do. If you think you can outdo us, good luck to you."
She stared at him, a small smile on her face as she tried to figure out if he was joking. Finally, she nodded slowly. "Okay... I want it."
Rowena stepped forward, her eyes glittering with anticipation. "Master Goblin, is it possible to arrange the adoption immediately? And I don't mean just any piece of paper. I want this child to be completely protected. Can we do a blood adoption?"
Axan frowned and leaned forward slightly, his long fingers intertwined. "A blood adoption is a very ancient and powerful ceremony. It magically connects the child to the new family, as if she were part of them from birth. But it is not an easy process, especially for humans."
Sam looked at Rowena with concern. "What exactly does that entail? Is it... dangerous?"
Rowena shook her head calmly. "Not dangerous, but intense. It requires a magical ritual in which both the adoptive parents and the child offer their blood. The magic of the ceremony weaves their souls together and makes it impossible for anyone outside the family to take the child without permission."
Dean looked at Axan, his brows furrowed deeply. "How long does that take? And are there any risks to Dana?" Axan sighed and turned his sharp gaze on Dana. "For the child, it's usually safe, though it can be tiring. However, the parents will share some of their magical potential, even if they have no active magical powers, like you and your brother. The process can be emotionally and physically exhausting, but the result is unbreakable."
Rowena smiled confidently. "And it ensures that no one, and I mean no one, can challenge her legal status. Even Albus Dumbledore would think twice before messing with a blood adoption."
Dean took a deep breath and looked at Sam. "What do you think? I mean... it sounds like a lot of hassle, but if it keeps her safe..." Sam nodded slowly. "If this will keep her with us and protected, I think we should do it."
Axan stood and walked to a more intricately decorated door at the side of the room. "Come with me. If you are serious, we can do this now. I will prepare the necessary artifacts and the ritual seal. However, I do need to know which of you will be the actual parent. I will leave you to discuss.”
Sam looked at Rowena and Dana. “Dean and I need to go over a few things. Would it be okay to wait a moment?” Rowena smiled and Sam asked Axan if they had a room for him and Dean to discuss the adoption.
Axan led them to a chamber across the hall, where Dean leaned against the wall, his arms folded tightly across his chest. He looked at Sam, who was sitting at the table, studying Gringotts’s papers intently. The silence hung heavy in the air.
“We have to do this,” Sam finally said. His voice was calm but determined. “This is the only way to make sure no one can take her away from us.”
Dean nodded slowly. “Yeah. I know. But who’s going to do it?” Sam put the papers down and looked Dean straight in the eye. “You.”
Dean raised his eyebrows. “Why me?” Sam sighed and leaned back in his chair. “Because you’ve always been the one to protect people. You’re the one to keep things safe. You’re the one to set boundaries, to make it clear that she doesn’t have to be afraid anymore.”
Dean shook his head. “She clings to you more, Sam. You’re the one who reassures her the most.”
“That’s right,” Sam admitted. “But that’s not why you have to do this. She needs you for something else.”
Dean frowned. “Something else?” Sam looked at him with a look Dean had seen before—the look of his younger brother, the one who had always been the one to stay rational when Dean himself was lost in his emotions. “She needs someone to make her feel like she has a home. Someone to make sure she never has to wonder if she’s welcome again. And that’s you.”
Dean sighed deeply. “Sam…”
Sam continued. “You’ve always taken care of me, Dean. Even when we had nothing, you made it safe for me. You did it without thinking. And you’re doing it again now, for Dana.”
Dean remained silent, his gaze fixed on the floor.
Sam stood up and walked over to him. “I know this is hard. I know this isn’t something you asked for. But that’s exactly why you have to do it. Because you're always the one who takes responsibility, whether you like it or not."
Dean finally looked up. "What about you? Why not you?"
Sam smiled weakly. "Because you've always been the one who kept our family together. You're the protective wall we can lean against. She needs you as her father, Dean. Not because you're perfect, but because you know exactly what it means to fight for someone."
Dean swallowed and looked back at the papers on the table. "This is crazy, Sam. We've fought demons, slaughtered vampires, and now..." He shook his head with a small, surprised smile. "Now I'm adopting a girl."
Sam put a hand on his shoulder. "And that's exactly what she needs."
Dean remained silent for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Okay. Let's do it." Sam smiled. "She deserves this. She deserves a real family." Dean looked down at the papers and took them in his hands. His gaze softened. "Yes. And we’ll make sure she gets it.”
He looked up at Sam and grinned weakly. “But if I have to deal with the magical world and their crazy rules, that’s your problem.”
Sam laughed softly. “Deal.”
Dean rolled his eyes and picked up the pen. “Okay, Sammy. Let’s get this madness over with.”
But there was a softness in his gaze, something he didn’t often show. A realization that he was doing exactly what he’d always done: keeping his family safe.
Both men returned to the room where Rowena and Dana waited. Sam cleared his throat and gave Dean a small nod as if encouraging him. Dean pulled his hands out of his pockets and slowly walked over to Dana. He crouched down so he could look at her eye level. Dean paused and took a deep breath before continuing. “You know we’re going to adopt you. But what you don’t know yet… is who your official father will be.”
Dana’s eyes widened. She looked between Dean and Sam again. “Oh.”
Dean kept his gaze on her, his voice softer than usual. “We’ve talked about it, and we think it’s better if I do. That I become your father.”
Dana looked at him for a moment, her gaze searching and silent. “You?” Dean nodded slowly. “Yes.”
She held his gaze for a few more seconds, her face hard to read. Then she lowered her gaze, still clutching her teddy bear tightly. “Why you?” Dean remained calm, waiting for her to look back at him. “Because I’m always here for you, kiddo. Because I want you to know that you’ll never be alone again. I’m going to make sure you’re safe, that you have a home.”
Dana’s voice was small when she spoke. “But you get angry a lot.”
Dean was visibly startled by her words, and Sam stepped forward as if to intervene. But Dean raised a hand to stop him.
“I know,” Dean said softly. “Sometimes I react strongly. But that’s because I always want to protect what’s important. And you are important, Dana. I’ll work on being better. Calmer.” He smiled weakly. “And if I do get too angry, you’ll have Sam to remind me to tone it down.”
Dana’s lips slowly curled into a small smile. “I can say something then?”
Dean nodded. “Always.” Dana thought for a moment, then nodded slowly. “So… you’re going to be my dad?”
Dean swallowed and nodded again. “Yes, if that’s what you want.” She leaned forward slightly, her gaze still cautious. “I never had a dad.”
Dean’s voice broke a little as he answered. “You do now.”
Dana watched him for a few more seconds before she let go of her hug and wrapped her arms around his neck. Dean closed his eyes and held her tightly, his hand on her back.
“Thank you,” she whispered into his shoulder. Dean swallowed again. “No, Dana. Thank you.” Sam stepped closer and squeezed her shoulder gently. “Welcome to the family, kiddo.”
Dana looked at him and giggled softly. “And you’re my Uncle Sam?” Sam grinned. “Forever.”
At that moment, the door opened and Axan stepped back in. His gaze briefly slid to Dana before turning to Dean. “Are you ready?” Dean stood up and held Dana’s hand tightly. He looked at Sam and nodded.
“Yes,” he said quietly. “We are ready.”
The group followed Axan into a smaller, circular room with a domed ceiling that glowed softly with golden runes. In the center was a low stone altar with a bowl and a silver dagger on top.
"Place your hands here," Axan said, pointing to the edges of the altar. "You two—" He looked at Sam and Dean. "—will offer your blood first. The child will follow, and I will complete the ceremony."
Dean glanced at Sam, who stepped forward calmly. Without hesitation, he picked up the dagger and cut a small slit in his palm, then let his blood drip into the bowl. Dean followed with somewhat less enthusiasm, his jaw clenched as he did the same.
Dana looked at them wide-eyed, but Rowena knelt beside her and gently took her hand. "It won't hurt much, my love. And this will protect you, forever."
With a nod, Dana stepped forward and let Axan gently make a small cut on her fingertip. Her blood mingled with that of the brothers in the bowl, which immediately began to glow. The runes on the ceiling pulsed in a deep golden light as Axan began to speak in an ancient, guttural language.
The air in the room changed abruptly. It became heavier, saturated with a deep, ancient magic that was almost tangible. The bowl began to vibrate, the blood inside it swirling in a perfect vortex of red and gold. Dean and Sam felt a strange tingling rush through their bodies as if something inside them had awakened that they had never felt before.
Dean grabbed Sam's arm, his breathing quickening. "What is this? What is happening to us?"
Rowena watched, fascinated, her eyes shining with excitement and respect. "The ritual accepts you completely, even more than I expected. Your blood reacts... as if it contains a dormant spark of magic."
The runes on the ceiling flashed brightly, and suddenly the room filled with a soft, golden light. Shadows emerged from that light, slowly taking shape. Dana let out a small scream and ducked behind Dean, who instinctively put his hand on her shoulder, despite the surprise that had paralyzed him completely.
There they stood. James and Lily Potter, their faces peaceful and full of love, their eyes fixed on Dana. John and Mary Winchester appeared next to them, as did a broadly grinning Bobby Singer.
Sam caught his breath. "Bobby?"
Dean looked at their father and mother with wide eyes. "What the hell...?"
"No," Sam said softly, stepping forward. "This is good. I just know it."
Lily knelt by Dana and smiled, reaching out to the girl. Even though they couldn't touch, Dana felt the warmth and love in that simple movement. "You are strong, my sweet girl," Lily said, her voice a soft melody. "We are so proud of you."
James nodded in agreement, looking at Dean and Sam. "Thank you... for everything you do for her."
John Winchester looked at his sons, pride in his eyes. "You've become good men. Better than I ever could have been." Mary smiled softly. "And now you have her. You will protect her, as we have always wanted to protect you."
Bobby grinned widely, pushing his cap back slightly. "Well, idjits, it seems you officially have more work now. A little magic in your blood? It just makes life more interesting."
Dean swallowed and rubbed his face, his eyes shining. "This is... this is a lot." Sam nodded slowly, looking at Dana, who was now stepping forward cautiously and looking at her parents. "I... I miss you," she whispered.
Lily smiled fondly. "We're always with you, Dana. Always."
Suddenly, the light retreated into the bowl, which came to rest. The shadows slowly disappeared, but the warmth of their presence lingered in the room.
Axan looked at the brothers with a mixture of respect and fascination. "It seems the ritual has revealed more than expected. You're no longer ordinary people. You've become squibs—individuals with magical energy in your blood, but without full access to spells."
Rowena clapped her hands, clearly impressed. "Well, look at that. The famous Winchester brothers, now with a touch of magic. This makes you even more dangerous to your enemies."
Dean shook his head and sighed deeply. "Great. As if we didn't have enough trouble already." But his gaze softened as he looked at Dana, who was looking up at him with a mixture of amazement and awe.
Sam knelt beside her and placed his hand on her shoulder. "This just means we have even more ways to protect you. You're not alone, Dana. And we'll show you that every day."
Dana smiled softly, then looked down at the bowl. "It felt like... like they were really here."
Dean nodded slowly, his voice softer than usual. "They were here, kid. And they're right. You're one of us now. And that means no one will ever hurt you again."
The room was silent, filled with a deep, shared resolve. They had become a family, bound by blood, magic, and a love that transcends even death.