Harry Potter : Cael Vale’s journey to Hogwarts

The long-dreaded week of exams at Hogwarts had finally arrived. For days, the castle's usual lively chatter had been replaced by a tense, academic silence, broken only by the frantic flipping of parchment and the murmured recitation of spells. Even Peeves the Poltergeist seemed to sense the severity of the situation and, for once, caused fewer disruptions — though no one believed it was out of goodwill.

The second-years faced their first hurdle in Transfiguration. Professor McGonagall stood at the front of the classroom, sharp-eyed as always, surveying them like a hawk as they scribbled answers onto their parchment.

"The Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration," she announced sternly, "explain its five principal exceptions, and demonstrate transforming a living creature into an inanimate object… or vice versa."

Cael made quick work of the written section. He'd reviewed the Gamp's Law so thoroughly he could probably recite it backward in his sleep. When it came to the practical, he effortlessly turned the timid mouse on his desk into a silver goblet, the polished surface gleaming under the torchlight.

The Charms exam followed, where Professor Flitwick required them to successfully cast both the Cheering Charm — designed to make the recipient smile or burst into laughter — and the Levitation Charm, which had become second nature by now.

Cael's Cheering Charm caused his test partner to dissolve into helpless giggles, while his Levitation spell sent his quill soaring gracefully across the room.

History of Magic was more grueling — a long, silent, written exam that forced them to recall every tedious detail of the Goblin Rebellions. Cael scribbled down names, dates, and key battles, though he suspected half the class had mentally checked out halfway through Professor Binns' lectures weeks ago.

Finally came Potions, the exam most students dreaded. Under Snape's icy glare, they were required to brew a Forgetfulness Potion, meticulously following the instructions while Snape paced among them like a silent predator.

Cael worked with quiet efficiency, grinding the herbs to perfect consistency, adding each ingredient with care. Snape hovered nearby but gave no comment — which was perhaps the highest compliment one could hope for.

The other exams — Herbology, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Astronomy — passed in a haze of nerves, parchment, and spellcasting.

When it was finally over, the entire castle seemed to exhale in relief.

A week of rest followed, and with it, the promise of summer holidays. Students lounged in the common rooms or enjoyed the sunny grounds, their exhaustion slowly giving way to excitement at the thought of returning home.

Cael, however, had no such home to return to. Not that it bothered him — he'd excelled again this year, and he was confident he'd top the academic rankings. As he strolled back to the Gryffindor common room, he allowed himself a quiet moment of reflection.

Now the plot unfolds, he thought, a faint smile tugging at his lips. The famous little trio and their grand adventure — loyalty, sacrifice, friendship… defeating the Dark Lord with the power of unity and Gryffindor recklessness. Let's see if it plays out as I remember, or if things will… deviate.

Elsewhere, that very trio emerged from the castle, walking toward the common room after their last exam.

Harry's brow was furrowed, deep in thought. "I've been thinking about something," he muttered, glancing sideways at Ron and Hermione. "That dragon Hagrid had… Norbert. He said some stranger gave him the egg… but why? Why would anyone just give away a dragon egg for free?"

Hermione's eyes widened slightly. "You don't think… they gave it to him to get something in return, do you?"

"Wouldn't surprise me," Ron muttered. "You know how Hagrid is — terrible at keeping secrets. He'd spill his life story to anyone who asks."

Harry nodded grimly. "Exactly. I think… I think we need to ask him. Properly."

The trio set off toward Hagrid's hut, winding their way down the grassy slope toward the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Smoke curled from the chimney, and Fang's booming barks echoed faintly inside.

They knocked on the wooden door. It creaked open, revealing Hagrid's beaming face.

"Ah, there yeh are!" he greeted, ushering them in. "Come in, come in. How'd the exams go, eh? Hope yeh did better than them Slytherins — wouldn't want yeh stuck in the same year as them lot!" He chuckled at his own joke, his large frame blocking half the room.

"We did alright," Hermione said modestly, though Ron looked less certain and quickly changed the subject.

"Actually, Hagrid, we wanted to ask you something… about Norbert," Harry began.

At the mention of the dragon, Hagrid's expression turned mournful. He plopped down onto a massive chair, stroking his beard with a sigh. "Ah, Norbert… poor lil' thing. Miss 'im, I do. But go on, ask away."

Hermione stepped forward. "The person who gave you the egg… did you ever find out who they were?"

Hagrid shook his head. "Nah… couldn't see their face. Wore a cloak, kept the hood up. But kind fella, yeh know? Givin' away a dragon egg like that."

Harry exchanged a glance with Hermione, then pressed, "Did he… ask you for anything in return? Or… get you talking about anything specific?"

Hagrid scratched his head. "Well… we did chat a bit. Talked about magical creatures, o' course — said he loved 'em. Asked about me own pets, real interested in Fluffy, he was. Said he always wanted one o' those."

Ron groaned quietly, and Hermione's expression sharpened. "You told him about Fluffy?"

"Course I did!" Hagrid said, oblivious. "Told 'im all about me three-headed dog — real proud of 'im. Told 'im how Fluffy loves music — put 'im right to sleep, it does."

The trio collectively froze. Harry's eyes darkened with realization.

Hagrid frowned. "What's with the looks? Why're yeh askin' all this?"

Harry hesitated for a beat, then said quietly, "Hagrid… we think whoever gave you that egg was… working for You-Know-Who."

Hagrid's face went pale under his wild beard. He shot to his feet, eyes wide with horror. "No… no, I… what've I done?" His voice cracked as he clutched his chest. "Dumbledore trusted me — trusted me to guard the Stone — an' I… I've gone an' told the enemy…"

"Hagrid, listen," Hermione urged gently, placing a hand on his arm. "We don't blame you, but we need to tell Professor Dumbledore. Now."

Hagrid sank back into his chair, distraught. "Oh… I've ruined everythin'…"

"We'll fix it," Harry promised firmly. "But we need to warn him before it's too late."

The trio wasted no time, hurrying back toward the castle. The stakes had changed.