Harry Potter : Cael Vale’s journey to Hogwarts

After bidding farewell to Hagrid, Cael and Hermione stepped out of the wooden hut into the cool night air, the faint glow of the castle looming in the distance. The soft hoot of an owl echoed somewhere in the Forbidden Forest behind them.

As they made their way up the grassy slope toward the castle, Cael shot Hermione a teasing look.

"Well then, Miss Granger," he said with a playful smirk. "How was your first illegal adventure in the Forbidden Forest? Did breaking the rules thrill you? Feel like a proper Gryffindor now?"

Hermione rolled her eyes, though a smile tugged at her lips despite herself.

"I didn't have much choice, did I?" she huffed, brushing her hair behind her ear. "But… I'll admit, the place Lenny showed me was beautiful. The trees, the moonlight… it was surreal. Not that I had time to enjoy it." Her brow furrowed slightly. "I kept thinking Aurors would burst out at any moment and drag me off in chains—probably snatch Norbert too."

Cael chuckled under his breath.

"You worry too much. You're safe here," he assured her. "This is Dumbledore's domain. And under Dumbledore's watch, no one's getting expelled for helping a friend—especially not for saving a baby dragon. You'd have to do something truly catastrophic to get booted back to the Muggle world."

Hermione's expression softened at that, and the tension in her shoulders eased.

"Thanks, Cael," she murmured, offering him a small smile as they continued up the slope.

But as the towering silhouette of the castle drew closer, Hermione's eyes widened in sudden alarm.

"Oh no—the curfew!" she gasped. "The professors will be patrolling… and Filch, and the Prefects… What do we do?"

Cael gave her a confident grin.

"Relax. I've got it covered," he said, pulling out his wand. "All we need is a bit of stealth magic." He held out his hand to her. "Disillusionment charm. Stay close, don't make a sound."

Hermione hesitated only for a second before slipping her hand into his. With a flick of his wand and a whispered incantation, a cool shimmer washed over them, bending the moonlight around their forms until they vanished from sight.

The castle corridors were eerily quiet as they navigated their way back, careful to avoid the soft flicker of torchlight or the faint sound of footsteps. They slipped through the halls like shadows, silent and unseen, until finally, they arrived at the portrait of the Fat Lady guarding Gryffindor Tower.

With a wave of Cael's wand, the charm lifted, revealing them once more.

The Fat Lady raised an eyebrow, smirking knowingly.

"Well, well… a couple of sneaky students out past curfew," she tutted, lounging comfortably in her frame. "I should report you to Professor McGonagall… but she's a dreadful bore when she's cross. I'd rather not hear her lecture." She winked. "Password?"

"Dragonscum," Hermione supplied breathlessly.

The portrait swung open, granting them entry.

The common room was quiet, the embers in the hearth burning low. Most of the house was already fast asleep. Cael turned to Hermione.

"You should get some rest," he said gently. "You've had quite the night. Running around the castle… through the Forbidden Forest… You deserve sleep."

Hermione yawned, suddenly realizing just how heavy her limbs felt.

"You're right… See you tomorrow, Cael," she whispered, heading up to the girls' dormitory.

Cael climbed to his own room. Fred was snoring loudly, sprawled across his bed, while Lee Jordan mumbled incoherently in his sleep. Shaking his head with a small smile, Cael changed and collapsed into bed.

⸻

Two Nights Later

The trio stood in Hagrid's hut once more, the air heavy with quiet sadness. Hagrid cradled Norberta in his massive arms, feeding the dragon chunks of raw meat. The little Norwegian Black snuffled sleepily, soothed by the potion Hagrid had mixed into her meal.

"Did you prepare her for tonight?" Harry asked quietly.

Hagrid's shoulders sagged as he nodded, tears already welling in his eyes.

"Yeah… I gave her the sleeping draught… She'll be alright." His voice cracked as he stroked Norberta's scaly head. "I'll… I'll never see her again."

Ron stepped forward.

"It's alright, Hagrid," he assured him. "My brother Charlie will take good care of her. You can write him letters anytime—and he'll send you updates."

"Yeah," Harry added. "It's for the best."

With one last kiss to Norberta's snout, Hagrid gently placed her in the crate. Hermione levitated the box with a swish of her wand, and they set off, slipping through the castle grounds under cover of darkness toward the Astronomy Tower.

They reached the top without incident, the night sky sprawling endlessly above them. Stars glittered like diamonds across the black velvet sky.

"When are they coming?" Hermione whispered.

"Midnight," Ron replied, checking his watch. "But it's already past twelve…"

"They're coming from Romania, Ron," Harry pointed out. "Relax."

Minutes later, shapes appeared in the distance—figures gliding silently on broomsticks. They descended gracefully onto the tower.

"Are you Charlie's brother?" one of the men asked, dismounting.

"Yeah," Ron confirmed. "You're here for the dragon, right?"

The dragon handlers inspected the crate, one of them whistling softly.

"A Norwegian Black… Beautiful little thing. Don't see them this young often." He exchanged a glance with his companion. "This makes seven of them back at the sanctuary."

"Lucky find," the other agreed.

They secured Norberta's crate and mounted their brooms.

"Thanks, kids. You've done the right thing," one called before they soared into the night, Norberta's crate strapped behind them.

"Goodbye, Norbert…" Ron sighed, watching them vanish into the sky. "Doubt we'll ever see you again, but… she was a brilliant dragon."

"Let's go before we get caught," Hermione urged, glancing around nervously.

"Our house points can't take another hit," Harry muttered. "Especially if it's Snape who catches us…"

They hurried back through the corridors, keeping their voices low. But as Ron began to speak—

"Brilliant little adventure, wasn't it?"—

A sharp voice interrupted from the shadows.

"I quite agree with you, Mr. Weasley," came Professor McGonagall's icy tone.

They froze, turning to see her standing sternly behind them… with Draco Malfoy smirking triumphantly at her side.

"Follow me," she ordered.

⸻

McGonagall's Office

The three stood in silence as McGonagall fixed them with a piercing gaze.

"I expected better from you, Miss Granger," she began coolly. "You… sneaking around after curfew. Breaking school rules. I thought you had more sense."

Hermione looked down, cheeks flushed with shame.

"And you, Mr. Potter," McGonagall continued, her tone sharp. "Neglecting your studies, wandering corridors at all hours—utterly reckless you are nothing like your mother . You're more like your father than I'd hoped." Her words faltered slightly as she caught Harry's pained expression at the mention of his mother , but she pressed on. "You've much to learn."

She turned to Ron.

"And you, Mr. Weasley… Your professors have plenty to say about your performance—and not much of it good."

Malfoy, standing smugly to the side, barely contained his glee—until McGonagall's next words.

"Fifty points from Gryffindor… and fifty from Slytherin," she declared.

Malfoy's jaw dropped.

"Me? But—but I helped—I told you about the dragon—"

"I've had enough dragon tales for one week," McGonagall snapped. "You were out after curfew. You're not exempt."

Malfoy seethed but said nothing more.

"All of you will serve detention. I'll inform you of the details shortly. Now, to bed."

The students shuffled out, heads low.

⸻

Left alone, McGonagall sighed heavily, her strict facade faltering as she turned to the darkened corner of the office.

"Was that harsh enough for you, Albus?" she muttered.

Dumbledore stepped out from the shadows, eyes twinkling beneath his half-moon spectacles.

"It will serve them well, Minerva. A lesson—actions have consequences."

"They're still children," McGonagall protested softly. "They… They don't understand what's coming."

Dumbledore's expression darkened for a brief moment.

"Perhaps not. But the future of our world rests in their hands. Especially his." He gazed toward the window, his voice heavy with quiet certainty. "Obstacles shape us. These small trials… they will need them."

McGonagall's mouth tightened, old resentment flickering in her eyes.

"I've never cared for prophecies. You know what they cost us—Grindelwald's lies, false visions of the future… we suffered for it."

Dumbledore was silent for a moment, staring out at the moonlit grounds.

"Prophecies… fate… they've always walked hand-in-hand with magic, whether we like it or not."

After a pause, he added quietly,

"Assign their detention with Hagrid… and young Cael Vale. The Forbidden Forest will teach them more than I ever could."

McGonagall sighed, resigned.

"As you wish, Albus."

Outside, the castle settled back into stillness, the wheels of fate quietly turning once again.