Harry Potter : Cael Vale’s journey to Hogwarts

The Great Hall buzzed with low conversation as students picked at their breakfast. Tension still lingered in the air like thick smoke, and even the smell of bacon and pumpkin juice couldn't chase it away.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat at the Gryffindor table, glancing nervously at the Slytherin end where students still whispered behind cupped hands and narrowed eyes. Across the hall, professors were tight-lipped, exhausted from another night of keeping the peace.

Then the doors swung open.

Professor Gilderoy Lockhart strutted into the hall, resplendent in robes of gold and indigo, his hair shining as if freshly conjured. A bright grin stretched across his face, and he clapped loudly for attention.

"Good morning, Hogwarts!" he called, his voice magically amplified and echoing off the enchanted ceiling.

The hall stilled. Even the Slytherins paused mid-whisper.

"I come to you this fine morning not just as your humble Defense Against the Dark Arts professor," he said, brushing back his hair with a theatrical flourish, "but as your champion. Because I have — at last — solved the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets!"

A stunned silence followed, pierced only by the sudden squeal of excitement from a third-year Ravenclaw girl.

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Some students leaned forward eagerly. Others exchanged skeptical glances.

Harry's stomach twisted.

Lockhart beamed.

"Yes, yes, I know! After tireless nights of research, experience, and—let's be honest—pure instinct, I have uncovered the truth. The culprit responsible for the attacks is none other than—" he paused dramatically, "—the half-giant Rubeus Hagrid!"

The silence shattered.

"No way—"

"Hagrid?!"

"That's impossible—!"

Lockhart raised his hands like a conductor quieting a chaotic orchestra. "It is true! I have contacted the Ministry of Magic personally and informed the Aurors currently stationed here. They will begin their investigation immediately. It turns out Hagrid was already expelled decades ago for this very thing!"

A group of girls gasped in unison. A few Slytherins clapped. Some of the younger students looked bewildered. Several Hufflepuffs exchanged uneasy glances.

At the Gryffindor table, Cael stood up sharply, the bench scraping loudly against the floor. Hermione, seated beside him, stood as well, her face pale but fierce.

"Cael," she whispered urgently, "we have to do something. He's going to get Hagrid thrown in Azkaban, and it's all lies!"

"Or worse," Cael muttered. "He's making Hagrid a scapegoat just to get attention."

Harry stood too, but Ron grabbed his arm. "Mate, if Aurors are involved, we have to be smart."

Hermione turned to Cael. "If they arrest Hagrid, he won't have a fair trial. The Ministry will just lock him away to make people feel safe again and put pressure from themselves ."

Cael's eyes narrowed. "I don't think we can do anything but go and ask him to run ."

Lockhart was still basking in the stunned attention of the crowd, waving off questions as though he were dodging floating love letters. "Fear not! I will personally assist in questioning the suspect. With my experience, I'm sure we'll have a full confession in no time!"

Hermione's hands balled into fists.

Cael turned to her. "Meet me after class. We're going to the Forbidden Forest."

Hermione blinked. "Why there?"

"If they try to take him, he might run. That's where he'll go first."

"But… the forest is dangerous."

He nodded. "So we'll be quick."

Hermione hesitated only a second. "I'm in."

By the time breakfast ended, the damage had been done. Whispers of "Hagrid the Monster" spread like wildfire through the hallways. Some students believed it without question. Others, like Dean Thomas and Luna Lovegood, were more skeptical but still unsure. The truth was hard to hear over the volume of fear.

The professors were tense. Even McGonagall looked uncertain. And Lockhart, of course, looked thrilled.