Harry Potter : Cael Vale’s journey to Hogwarts

The chill of winter had finally settled over Hogwarts. The once mild autumn air was replaced by biting winds that swept through the stone corridors, prompting the fireplaces in every House common room to blaze with warmth and light.

That morning, Cael awoke from his royal slumber, stretching beneath the heavy blankets of his bed in Gryffindor Tower. For a few moments, he lingered there, reluctant to leave the cocoon of warmth. But curiosity soon pulled him upright, and when he glanced toward the window, his breath caught in his throat.

The grounds of Hogwarts lay blanketed in pristine white. Snow had fallen heavily through the night, shrouding the castle in its first snowfall of the year. Beyond the frosted glass, students were already running across the courtyard, their laughter echoing faintly as they hurled snowballs and sculpted snowmen.

A grin tugged at Cael's lips. He wasted no time, pulling himself from bed, taking a steaming shower, and dressing in warm layers to brace the cold. By the time he made his way outside, the grounds had transformed into a winter playground.

The moment he stepped into the snow, a sharp thwack struck his back. Cold, wet snow splattered across his robes. Cael spun around, his eyes narrowing playfully as he spotted Katie Bell giggling among a group of Gryffindor girls, her cheeks flushed with cold.

"So that's how it's going to be?" he called, grinning as he lunged after them, scooping snow into his hands.

Before long, the courtyard erupted into a full-blown snowball fight. Cael ducked and weaved, retaliating with precision. Laughter filled the air as the Weasley twins soon joined the play , their wild red hair unmistakable as they bounded across the snow, plotting their next prank.

A little while later, their mischief took a more creative turn. With Cael's help—and a touch of Transfiguration—they began sculpting a snow statue of Percy Weasley, meticulously crafting every self-important detail.

At the base of the snow statue, they proudly scrawled:

"His Royal Prefectness."

The students roared with laughter, adding their own embellishments—making Percy bald, enlarging his nose comically, or even giving him flowing snow-hair to resemble a woman. The courtyard was filled with teasing cheers, everyone thoroughly enjoying themselves.

That was, until the real Percy appeared.

His eyes widened in horror as he took in the snow effigy, his face turning nearly as red as his hair.

"Oi! Who's responsible for that?" Percy barked, marching toward them. But the culprits were already scattering, ducking behind snow forts and pelting him with snowballs as they made their escape.

Overhead, from the castle's high windows, two figures observed the scene.

Dumbledore leaned comfortably against the windowsill, his blue eyes twinkling behind half-moon spectacles. Beside him, Professor McGonagall stood with her arms crossed, her expression carefully neutral.

"Ah, youth," Dumbledore mused fondly. "So much energy. Why, it feels like only yesterday you were down there, pelting your classmates with snowballs, Minerva."

McGonagall's lips tightened, a faint flush creeping up her cheeks. "Let's not dwell on the past, Albus."

But Dumbledore's grin only widened, clearly enjoying himself. "If I recall correctly, there was that charming young lad—what was his name? The one who pursued you so relentlessly. Pressed you to be his girlfriend, poor fool."

Minerva's mouth twitched, but she said nothing.

"You froze him solid in midair, as I recall," Dumbledore chuckled. "Professor Beery never did quite recover from all your antics. Always complaining to Headmaster Dippet… 'That McGonagall girl is incorrigible!' Running off to the Forbidden Forest, hexing the boys, leading that little group of rebellious girls—"

"Enough, Albus," McGonagall interrupted firmly, though her ears had turned noticeably pink. Dumbledore's quiet laughter echoed down the hall.

Meanwhile, on the grounds, the snow battle had calmed. The twins, Cael, and a few others were still laughing as they admired their now slightly mangled snow-Percy, victorious for the moment.

Later that afternoon, inside the Great Hall, the professors made their rounds, speaking with students about the approaching Christmas holidays. Lists were taken for those returning home and those staying behind.

Cael had no home to return to—not really. But he didn't mind. The Weasley twins were staying, their parents off visiting their eldest son in Egypt, so Cael wasn't alone.

As the Hogwarts Express departed with most of the students, steam billowing into the winter sky, Cael watched from the courtyard. Despite the emptying castle, a warmth settled in his chest.

The first morning of winter had begun with snow, mischief, and laughter—and Finished with Students departure.