Harry Potter : Cael Vale’s journey to Hogwarts

Morning light spilled through the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall, but it did little to lift the tension pressing down on Hogwarts.

Students murmured in hushed tones over their breakfasts. No laughter. No clinking of goblets or clatter of forks. Every conversation hovered on a single name:

Theodore Nott.

A second-year Slytherin. Petrified. Alongside a ghost.

Everyone was nervous and worried about this incident as they thought there won't be any other attacks since the Aurors were present at Hogwarts but they were clearly wrong .

And then came the Daily Prophet.

Owls swooped in like a storm cloud, hundreds of wings fluttering through the enchanted sky, dropping letters and newspapers onto laps and plates. One particular front page, stamped with bold black ink, fluttered between Hermione's hands as she read aloud for Harry and Ron.

"PUREBLOODS IN DANGER AT HOGWARTS?"

Another Student Attacked: Ministry Investigation Demanded

By Rita Skeeter, Special Correspondent

For the fourth time this school year, a student has been found petrified inside the walls of Hogwarts.

What raises alarm, however, is that the latest victim—Theodore Nott—comes from an ancient pure-blood family, well-known among the Sacred Twenty-Eight.

This begs the question: is this an act of random Dark Magic—or is it part of a greater campaign of intimidation?

Sources from within the Ministry suggest some are asking whether this is part of an unspoken conflict between Headmaster Albus Dumbledore and the old Pureblood lines, particularly given the Headmaster's long-standing favoritism toward Muggle-borns and half-bloods.

Could this be a warning? A message?

Or is Hogwarts spiraling into a quiet civil war?

Hermione lowered the paper slowly.

Ron scoffed. "What absolute rubbish."

But Harry's face was set in stone. "They're trying to turn this into a war."

"They want to," Hermione said. "And they might succeed which will be very catastrophic ."

⸻

Later that morning, the air around the castle turned even more bitter.

A crowd of Slytherin students gathered outside the Great Hall. Some were pacing. Others, shouting.

"Why are we the targets now?!"

"I thought Hogwarts was supposed to be safe! He's failing us!"

"Where is Dumbledore?!"

A few waved copies of the Daily Prophet above their heads, the headline flashing like a banner of accusation.

Dumbledore appeared at the top of the staircase, flanked by Professors McGonagall and Snape. His expression was calm—but weary.

"My students," he said gently, "I understand your fear. I share it. I have spent every moment trying to protect you all, regardless of name or blood. And I will continue to do so."

But the Slytherins were not convinced.

"You protected them! The Mudbloods!" one shouted, and there were scattered murmurs of agreement.

It was then that Snape stepped forward, his voice sharp and cutting through the corridor like a blade.

"That is enough," he snapped. "You are students, not a mob. Return to your common room, all of you. I will not tolerate this kind of disruption."

The Slytherins shrank back. Not out of respect for Dumbledore—but fear of Severus Snape.

The crowd slowly dispersed.

⸻

By late afternoon, the air inside the Headmaster's office had turned even colder than the hallways outside.

Dumbledore sat behind his desk, fingers steepled, a quiet portrait of a man bracing for what was to come.

The door swung open.

Cornelius Fudge entered in a cloud of cologne and worry, followed closely by Lucius Malfoy, cane in hand, silver hair gleaming like a polished blade.

"Albus," said Fudge, not quite meeting the old wizard's eyes, "I wish this could have gone differently."

Dumbledore rose slowly. "Then let us make it so."

Lucius stepped forward, lips curled in triumph.

"I'm afraid it's too late for that." He unfurled a scroll and set it gently on the desk. "This is an official order, signed by the Minister himself and sealed by the Board of Governors."

Dumbledore glanced at it briefly, then returned his gaze to Fudge. "I see."

"You are to step down as Headmaster immediately," Fudge said quietly. "Until further notice, you're to leave the school grounds. The Ministry will oversee the appointment of a temporary replacement."

There was a pause. The room held its breath.

Then Dumbledore nodded once. "Very well."

"You're taking this rather well," Lucius sneered.

"Do not mistake calm for defeat, Lucius," Dumbledore said softly. "The castle listens. It knows who belongs within its walls."

⸻

News of Dumbledore's removal spread like fire in dry grass.

In the Gryffindor common room, Harry sat stunned, the weight of it crashing over him. Hermione dropped her book. Ron just stared blankly into the fire.

"They removed him," Harry said. "They really did it."

"What happens now?" Ginny whispered from her armchair.

Hermione bit her lip. "If Dumbledore's gone… we're all in danger specially those Pure blood will do anything to remove us from Hogwarts "

For the first time that year, the common room was silent.