Harry Potter : Cael Vale’s journey to Hogwarts

It was a crisp Saturday morning, and excitement buzzed through the corridors of Hogwarts like electricity in the air before a storm. Today was the long-awaited Hogsmeade visit—a day when students in their third year and above were permitted to visit the only all-wizarding village in Britain, provided they had a signed permission form from a parent or guardian.

Cael Vale stood outside Professor McGonagall's office, shifting on his heels.

He took a breath and knocked.

"Enter," came the sharp voice from within.

He stepped in. Professor McGonagall sat behind her desk, quill in hand, glasses perched perfectly on the bridge of her nose. She looked up and narrowed her eyes slightly.

"What is it, Mr. Vale? Is there a problem—or did you do something again?"

Cael gave her a perfectly innocent smile. "No, Professor. I would never do something bad."

McGonagall looked at him as though he had just claimed to be the Tooth Fairy.

She said nothing—just waited.

Cael cleared his throat and stepped forward. "Professor, as you know, today is the Hogsmeade visit. But… I don't have a permission letter. I don't have a guardian to sign it. Mama Linda went to the America, and legally, I'm on my own."

For a brief moment, McGonagall's stern expression faltered.

She sat back in her chair and studied him carefully. There was something about his voice—calm, respectful, maybe even a little hopeful. It made her heart twist, just slightly.

Poor boy, she thought. No family. No home. No guardian. And yet he never complains.

She remembered his file—bare bones, mostly. No known relatives in the wizarding world except a Muggle Father who abounded him in the orphanage . No money . Living off school stipend until just last term.

"You've never been to Hogsmeade before, have you?" she asked.

Cael shook his head. "Not officially."

That word did not go unnoticed. Her eyes narrowed just slightly, but she chose—mercifully—not to pursue it.

"Very well," she said at last, setting down her quill. "I'll allow you to go… but mind me, Mr. Vale: if you cause even one bit of mischief, I will personally see to it that you are banned from every future Hogsmeade trip until you graduate."

Cael smiled brightly. "Thank you, Professor. I promise, I'll be a very good boy."

She gave him a look over her spectacles so piercing it might've turned lesser students to stone.

"I doubt that," she muttered.

As Cael turned to leave, she called after him, "One more thing, Mr. Vale."

He turned, hand on the door.

"Do you still live at the Leaky Cauldron? I received a report from Gringotts stating that the school alimony has been repaid—a full two years' worth. You haven't taken a Knut this term. Is there something I should know?"

Cael blinked, then smiled again—softly this time, almost gratefully.

"Actually, Professor… I discovered that my birth mother was a witch. She left behind a small home—and some savings. Enough to support me for a few years."

McGonagall blinked, surprised. She had never heard a word about his parentage.

"I'm grateful for everything the school has done for me," Cael continued. "But I can manage for now. And… I still have that home."

She nodded slowly, though a thousand questions flickered through her mind. Who was his mother? Where had he found this information? Why had he not said anything sooner?

But she said only, "I'm glad to hear that, Mr. Vale."

Cael bowed slightly. "Thank you again, Professor."

As he left the office, McGonagall sat back in her chair, thoughtful.

"Well," she murmured aloud, "at least he has a roof over his head… but who is his mother?"

Her eyes moved to the fireplace, where the soft flames flickered.

"I'll ask him—eventually."