Harry Potter : Cael Vale’s journey to Hogwarts

Cael pushed himself to his feet, wiping the blood from his sleeve as the last echoes of battle faded behind them. The chamber had gone still, save for the dripping water and the distant flicker of torchlight.

He glanced toward Harry, who was still catching his breath beside the lifeless corpse of the Basilisk.

"Come on," Cael said quietly. "Let's go. Ron and Hermione are outside."

Harry looked up and nodded, his voice raspy. "Yeah. I helped them out through the tunnel before the duel… Let's go meet them."

With care, they gathered Hermione's scattered books, the Sorting Hat, the gleaming Sword of Gryffindor—still stained with venom—and Riddle's ruined diary, now blackened and pierced through the center. Harry handled the sword reverently, while Cael tucked the diary into his coat pocket, its evil extinguished at last.

They made their way through the winding tunnel that led out of the Chamber of Secrets. Cael conjured a set of makeshift stone stairs with a muttered "Erecto", leading back up through the tunnel system. The magic was raw, but steady—his wand now more an extension of his will than ever before.

As they climbed and reached the stone sink entrance to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, the eerie silence was broken only by their footfalls.

But as they emerged…

No one was there.

Cael paused. His brow furrowed.

He turned toward Harry. "Where are they, Harry?"

Harry looked around in confusion, scanning the bathroom. "They were right here… I swear, I led them out."

But the room remained empty. Ron, Hermione, Lockhart, and Ginny—all gone.

Harry's shoulders tensed, anxiety creeping into his voice.

"I—I don't understand…"

Cael placed a hand on his shoulder and gave a faint, reassuring smile. "It's alright. They may have been teleported out by Dumbledore's phoenix. Fawkes might've taken them somewhere safe."

Harry hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah… maybe."

"Let's grab everything and get out of this bloody chamber," Cael muttered. "I've had enough of serpents and curses for one night."

Harry agreed, and together they exited the bathroom, sword and hat in hand. The cool air of the corridor hit them like a breath of freedom.

Just outside, standing at the edge of the corridor near the sink, was Professor McGonagall—her robes disheveled, her face pale with worry. She had her wand raised, preparing to jump into the sink entrance herself.

When she saw the two boys emerge, her shoulders slumped in visible relief. She exhaled a long, heavy breath.

"Oh, thank Merlin," she said, her voice trembling with barely restrained emotion. "You two are alright."

Her eyes fell on Cael. "Mr. Vale… I didn't expect you to be involved in all this. You are remarkably reckless."

Cael only offered a tired smile and said nothing. He didn't have the energy to defend himself—not tonight.

Harry stepped forward. "Professor—Hermione and Ginny? Are they alright?"

McGonagall nodded. "They're alive. Miss Weasley just woke up. Madam Pomfrey is treating Miss Granger now—she lost quite a bit of her magical essence due to… well, what was done to her soul. But she's recovering."

Harry let out a deep sigh, his body visibly relaxing. Cael, too, closed his eyes briefly in relief.

"Come," McGonagall said, her tone softening. "Let's get you both to the hospital wing before you collapse where you stand."

She escorted the two boys through the quiet corridors of the castle, the moonlight filtering through high windows, casting silver shadows across the floor. It was a long, weary walk—one that neither of them would ever forget.

When they reached the hospital wing, Madam Pomfrey was already moving from bed to bed like a flurry of starched white robes. Ron was seated beside Ginny's bed, whispering to her. Hermione lay asleep nearby, pale and still, but her breathing was even.

The moment Pomfrey saw Cael limping through the door, she rushed over.

"Mr. Vale!" she exclaimed. "You're injured—lie down at once!"

She steered him to the nearest bed with firm hands. He obeyed without protest.

After a quick diagnostic spell, her eyes widened.

"Were you hit by an Unforgivable Curse?"

Cael winced, flexing his shoulder. "Yeah… the Cruciatus. On my left side."

Pomfrey clucked in concern, immediately drawing potions from her cabinet. "Hold still."

She worked quickly, applying a salve to his shoulder and pouring two glowing potions into his hands. "Drink both. You'll stay here until I say otherwise. No arguments. Sleep is what you need now."

Cael nodded wordlessly and downed the potions. His body was already growing heavy, exhaustion pressing against every bone.

Meanwhile, Harry was being checked over. After a few minutes, Pomfrey waved her wand and nodded.

"You're fine, Mr. Potter. Just fatigued. You may return to your dormitory if you wish."

Harry yawned, eyes drooping. "I'll… I'll head back."

Pomfrey turned to Ron and Ginny. "Miss Weasley and Mr. Weasley, you're both stable now—you may go as well. But no more excitement tonight. That's an order."

Ron helped Ginny to her feet, and Harry gave one last glance toward Cael before turning to follow them out.

As they reached the door, Professor McGonagall touched Harry's shoulder gently.

"Mr. Potter," she said quietly, "you'll report to the Headmaster's office tomorrow morning. He'd like to speak with you."

Harry nodded, and then the three of them disappeared down the corridor.

Back in the hospital wing, Cael lay still, staring at the ceiling above him. Every muscle in his body ached. His mind swirled with fire, venom, and serpents. But amid the haze, he smiled.

Hermione was safe. Ginny too.

Tom Riddle was gone.

And for now… that was enough.

Darkness overtook him, soft and merciful.

Sleep came at last.