Harry Potter : Cael Vale’s journey to Hogwarts

A stillness hung between them until Cael finally broke the silence.

"Myrddin," he said, turning toward the painting, "do you know where the other members of the Six went? Where they lived, or if there's anything left of them? Maybe old sanctuaries or portraits? I want to find them. Speak to them, if possible."

The boy in the painting seemed to hesitate. "I… don't know much," he admitted at last. "We were from different kingdoms—rarely involved in each other's personal affairs. We gathered only for council business, usually at the sanctuary."

"But," he added after a pause, "there is one place I remember. One of the council members—she invited me once, asked for my help in an experiment. I visited her castle only that one time. It was in a region we once called Gallia. I believe you said the modern name is… France?"

Cael nodded.

"It wasn't far from the lands you call Britain now," Myrddin said. "The castle was called Château de Gisors. I don't know if it still stands, but that's the only stronghold I personally visited."

Cael took note, intrigued.

"As for the others… their domains were well-guarded. And the most powerful among us—her sanctuary was never revealed. Not even to us. She was a mystery even to the Six. We didn't know her kingdom of origin. She never shared it. She rarely took apprentices. Only once did she have a student, a girl—killed later by a royal family. In revenge, she wiped out that entire bloodline." Myrddin's voice dropped. "From that day on, she never took another."

Cael absorbed the information, uncertain but eager. At least he had one clue—Château de Gisors, a lead not far from home.

They talked for some time more—about the world, about magic. Myrddin asked eagerly about the state of the modern wizarding world. Cael explained the governments, magical and Muggle alike. And when he mentioned the Americas, Myrddin's painted eyes widened.

"So it's finally common knowledge," he mused. "That land—yes, we knew of it. Wizards had been there long before your explorers crossed the sea. That continent was… different. More advanced, magically. One of the council members came from there."

He leaned forward slightly. "That land had a name in our time, long forgotten now. But don't think your 'discovery' was the first."

As the hours passed, Cael finally asked the question on his mind.

"Do you have anything to teach me? Any spells from your era? Something… powerful. Something forgotten."

Myrddin studied him. "There is one."

He paused, almost reverent.

"I spent a century crafting it. A spell to conceal one's magical presence—not merely disguise it, not hide it under illusion, but erase it entirely from the magical spectrum. No spell, no artifact, no enchantment can detect the target. You become imperceptible, untraceable. As though you never existed."

Cael leaned forward eagerly.

"I call it Veyarum—the Cloak of Magical Concealment."

A spark lit in Cael's chest. Until Myrddin continued.

"However, the spell is demanding. Using it on oneself requires a constant magical output. You may also inscribe it into objects using runes, but the complexity is vast. And only you, its caster, will be able to perceive the hidden object—until the spell fades, or the runes are deciphered."

Myrddin looked at him. "It hides anything. Everything. But not death."

Cael's lips twitched in mild disappointment.

"That's it?" he said. "I mean… it sounds powerful, but we already have disillusionment charms. Even spells to make houses invisible—Fidelius Charm, for instance. I thought you'd teach me something that could bend reality itself."

Myrddin's expression darkened.

"You have no idea," he snapped. "You dare compare this to that diluted filth you call disillusionment? This spell doesn't hide—it removes. From magical existence. There is no counter. If you aren't worthy of it, perhaps you shouldn't learn it at all."

Cael immediately raised his hands. "No—I'm sorry master ! I didn't mean it like that. I do want to learn. Truly."

The boy in the painting studied him a long moment, then finally sighed.

"Fine. But don't ever call me 'Master.' I'm not your mentor. You're not my apprentice. I will teach you one spell. It is up to you to master it."

He pointed his small painted hand. "Take your little wand—toy, as you call it—and follow my motion."

Myrddin demonstrated, moving his hand in a triangle motion, slow and precise. Cael mimicked the motion, uttering the incantation. Nothing happened.

"I did it," Cael said, frustrated. "But—nothing."

Myrddin gave a knowing smile. "It won't come easily. This is no flick-and-swish charm. You will need time. But if—when—you master it, you will be like a ghost. Untouchable. Blending into shadow, light, stone, water—anything."

Then his voice turned sharp. "But you must promise me: never share this spell. Unless it is with someone you trust completely—and even then, make them swear an unbreakable vow. If this spell spreads, the magical world will collapse into chaos. There is no counter. No defense."

Cael swallowed and nodded.

"Good," Myrddin said. Then, smirking: "Now off you go, boy. You said it was the holidays. By now… what, five? Six days must've passed outside."

Cael froze. "That's not funny. I've only been here a few hours."

"I'm not joking," Myrddin chuckled. "Time here doesn't match the outside. In here, it's slowed magically. Outside—time continues at its usual pace. It's a necessary distortion to preserve the magic of this place."

Cael quickly called out in his mind , "System—confirm. Is that true?"

The voice replied, "Yes. Approximately six and a half days have passed since your arrival."

Cael staggered slightly. "No way…"

He stood up quickly. "Thank you for everything. All this… it was my mother's work. She wanted to come here herself, but she died before she could. I came in her place."

Myrddin nodded solemnly. "Then let her memory guide you. And this isn't goodbye. You have the portkey. Use it—whenever you wish to return. Just activate it using the runes you now understand. But guard it. If it falls into the wrong hands, even this castle's protections may not stop intruders."

"I will," Cael promised. "Thank you, elder."

As he turned to leave, Myrddin called out once more.

"On the left shelf—there are five books on runes. Take them. Study them. But do not use them until your power is great enough. These are not beginner's scripts."

Cael found the books and tucked them into his pouch, nodding gratefully.

He made his way to the castle's entrance. Outside, he noticed something strange—it had been snowing when he arrived, yet now the snow was gone, and the sun was high in the sky.

"System," he asked as he walked, "while you searched the castle, did you find anything useful?"

"Only more books and magical artifacts," the system replied. "Nothing critical."

"Alright," Cael sighed. "Let's go."

He reached into his pouch, drew the door key, and activated the 153 runes along its surface. Light blazed around him. A flash—and then he was gone.