Harry Potter : Cael Vale’s journey to Hogwarts

The corridors of Hogwarts were dimly lit as Harry and Ron exited their Charms class. The chill of the stone floor crept through their shoes as they made their way toward the Great Hall, stomachs rumbling in anticipation of dinner.

Then Harry froze.

A sound—low, slithering, and unmistakably wrong—slid into his ears. That same hissing he had heard months ago. But this time, the words were clearer, more urgent:

Kill… kill them… or I will kill you. I am hungry…

"Harry?" Ron asked, stopping beside him. "What's wrong, mate?"

Harry's eyes narrowed. "I heard it again—the hissing. Just like last term."

Ron looked around nervously. The corridor was empty, shadows flickering along the walls. "I don't hear anything."

"It's there. I'm telling you."

Ron hesitated, but then motioned forward. "Come on, let's just keep moving. It's probably nothing."

They hadn't taken more than a few steps before a piercing scream echoed through the halls.

Without thinking, Harry turned toward the sound. "Come on!" he said, already sprinting.

"Harry—wait! Maybe we shouldn't—Harry!" Ron's voice trembled, but he followed nonetheless, dread heavy in every footstep.

The two rounded the corner into one of the long corridors leading to the dungeons. The scene that greeted them made Ron stop dead in his tracks.

Lying on the cold stone floor was the frozen body of a student—completely petrified.

Next to him, nearly translucent and just as stiff, floated the motionless ghost of Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington—Nearly Headless Nick.

Harry approached cautiously. The student had pale skin and sharp features, eyes wide with frozen terror.

Ron gasped. "That's… that's Theodore Nott. He hangs around Malfoy."

"Come on—we need to get out of here," Harry said quickly. "If anyone sees me here, they'll think I did it again."

Ron nodded, pale and shaking. "You're right. Let's go."

But just as they turned, a voice called out sharply from behind them.

"Stop right there, Potter!"

Percy Weasley stormed down the corridor, wand drawn and eyes wide. "Don't move. Don't even think about fleeing the scene."

Ron stared at his older brother in disbelief. "What the hell, Percy?! You seriously think Harry did this?"

"I saw him here. With the body. That's enough," Percy snapped. "And you'd better step aside, Ron, or I'll write to Mum. Don't you dare lecture me—I'm a prefect. I have responsibilities."

Harry narrowed his eyes at Percy, who was clearly relishing the authority.

Another prefect appeared at the end of the hallway. Percy straightened and barked at him, "Go fetch a professor. Tell them I've caught Potter red-handed!"

Ron's fists clenched. "You're disgusting, Percy. This is why no one can stand you. I wish— I wish you weren't my brother!"

Percy's expression twisted in anger—and then, to both their shock, he slapped Ron hard across the face.

Harry immediately stepped between them. "What the hell is wrong with you?!"

"This is family business, Potter," Percy growled. "I'm his older brother. He needs to learn some respect."

"I'll never respect you," Ron spat, eyes blazing. "Not after this."

At that moment, Professors McGonagall and Snape entered the corridor, their robes billowing behind them.

"What is going on here?" McGonagall demanded, voice like a whip.

Percy quickly straightened and pointed. "Professor, I found Potter at the scene—Theodore Nott has been petrified, and so has Nearly Headless Nick. Potter was standing right there."

"Mr. Weasley," she snapped, "you are a prefect, not an Auror. Do not make accusations you cannot prove. Stand down."

Percy flinched and stepped back silently.

Snape's eyes, dark and unreadable, never left Harry. He moved forward, kneeling by the petrified boy and ghost. After a few moments, he stood.

"They've been petrified," he confirmed. "Just like the others."

McGonagall closed her eyes briefly and sighed. "It's starting again. I had hoped it ended last term."

She turned toward the prefect. "You said the Aurors were patrolling—where are they?"

"They've returned to the Ministry, Professor," the boy replied nervously. "They said replacements would be arriving soon."

McGonagall looked to Harry and Ron. "Explain. Now."

Harry told her everything—how he and Ron had been walking to dinner when he heard the hissing, and how they'd followed the scream to the corridor.

"And you were here again?" she asked sharply.

Harry nodded. "Yes. We were just walking towards the Great Hall for dinner ."

Snape folded his arms and spoke coldly, "Interesting. How is it that Potter is always near when these attacks happen? Coincidence… or design?"

His gaze was icy.

"Enough, Severus," McGonagall said curtly. "Get Sir Nicholas to the Hospital Wing. Perhaps another ghost can help move him. Take Mr. Nott's body to Madam Pomfrey as well."

She turned back to the boys. "You two—go to your common room. Do not leave. I'll inform the Headmaster."

As they made their way to Gryffindor Tower, Ron rubbed his cheek.

"I'm sorry," Harry muttered. "You didn't have to stand up for me like that."

Ron scoffed. "Please. We fight worse than that at home. Percy's always been unbearable—no one likes him except Mum and Dad, and that's only because he plays the perfect son."

When they entered the Gryffindor common room, Ginny rushed toward them. "What happened? Everyone's saying there was another attack—and that you two were there!"

"We're fine," Harry said with a tired smile. "Just… a little shaken, that's all."

Hermione approached next, worry etched into her features. "What happened? Why were you even there?"

They explained everything—how they heard the scream, the frozen bodies, Percy's overreaction.

When the story was done, Harry looked at her seriously. "Hermione, by tomorrow morning, everyone's going to think I did it. Again. I'm not going to waste my breath convincing people. We need to figure this out—fast."

"I agree," she said. "I've been researching, and I think everything connects to the Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. That place… it's where it all begins."

"I've tried talking to her," Hermione continued, "but she won't open up. She might talk to you, Harry. She… sort of fancies you."

Harry blinked. "Seriously?"

Hermione shrugged. "You're a boy. She might be more cooperative."

"I'll try."

"One more thing," Hermione said. "When you heard those voices… did they sound like they were coming from inside the walls?"

Harry nodded. "They did."

She looked grim. "Then we need to find out what's in the walls. Because whatever it is—it's hunting again."