Harry Potter : Cael Vale’s journey to Hogwarts

After a long silence, Hermione finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.

"What… what did you do last night? I don't remember anything after I passed out."

Cael gave her a half-smile, trying to lighten the mood.

"Nothing much," he said casually. "Just destroyed a few ancient statues, killed a giant snake, and beat the shit out of Tom. So don't worry—I made sure to take revenge on your behalf."

A small smile flickered across her face for the first time since waking up. Cael leaned forward slightly, his tone softening.

"How are you feeling now? Do you feel anything strange? Are you hurt?"

Hermione shook her head slowly. "No… I'm fine. I don't feel anything. Just… fine."

Cael let out a quiet sigh of relief. "That's good then. I'm glad you're okay."

The room fell into a brief, comfortable silence. Then Hermione looked at him again, this time more intently.

"Thank you, Cael. Thank you for saving me. If you hadn't… I don't know what would've happened."

He gave her a warm, sincere look.

"I'll always be there for you, Hermione. If you ever need to talk, about anything, you can count on me. Don't shut yourself away, okay?"

He reached out to gently pat her head, but Hermione instinctively slapped his hand away.

"I told you not to pat my head," she scolded.

Cael chuckled. "What can I say? You're just so cute—like a grumpy little cat."

She rolled her eyes, but the faintest trace of amusement danced in them. Just then, the door creaked open and in walked Professor Dumbledore, calm and dignified as ever, followed closely by a visibly emotional Professor McGonagall.

At the sight of her professors, Hermione's demeanor shifted. She looked down quickly, hands fidgeting in her lap.

McGonagall's expression tightened with sadness. The memory of Hermione lying unconscious, possessed and helpless, struck a deep chord in her heart. Last year, it had been her body tossed in cold in the forbidden forest . This year, possession. And once again, she felt she'd failed to protect one of her brightest students.

Dumbledore stepped forward, his voice gentle.

"Miss Granger… how are you feeling?"

Hermione gave a small nod. "I'm fine, Professor."

"I'm very glad to hear that," Dumbledore said with a kind smile. "You're incredibly brave, Hermione. Braver than most adults I've known. You mustn't blame yourself. None of this was your fault. The diary came to you through deception—deliberately planted by Lucius Malfoy. He has since received due punishment."

Hermione nodded again, a little more firmly this time.

Professor McGonagall spoke next, her voice more formal but filled with quiet affection.

"Miss Granger, I'm so relieved to see you well. I hope this… incident does not deter you from your studies or your spirit. And if you ever feel unsafe or in need of anything, my door is always open to you."

Hermione whispered a heartfelt, "Thank you, Professor."

Dumbledore turned his gaze to Cael, and his expression warmed even further.

"Mr. Vale, I cannot thank you enough—for protecting your friends, for protecting this school. In my absence, you showed more courage and loyalty than many ever do in a lifetime. This school owes you a great debt."

Cael straightened a bit, but replied humbly,

"You don't have to thank me, sir. Hogwarts is my home. I have no other place in the world. My friends, my teachers… everything I care about is here. I just did what anyone should do to protect the people they love. I owe Hogwarts more than I can ever repay."

Dumbledore smiled, a look of wistful admiration in his eyes.

"I wish more had your heart, Mr. Vale. Tom Riddle was once the brightest student of his generation. Hogwarts gave him everything—knowledge, power, purpose—but in every chance he got, he sought to harm the very place that nurtured him. If only he had chosen a different path… But alas, he did not. Thank you again—for aiding Mr. Potter, and for standing your ground in the face of darkness."

With that, Dumbledore offered them both a final nod and exited the hospital wing. Professor McGonagall gave Cael a small smile before following.

"Perhaps you're not quite as reckless as I thought, Mr. Vale ."

Cael grinned. "That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me."

Soon after, the door burst open again—this time with a wave of sound and energy as Fred and George Weasley, followed by Harry, Ron, Lee Jordan, Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet, and Katie Bell, flooded in.

"Mate!" Fred said, clapping him on the shoulder. "Thank you for saving Ginny. We owe you everything."

George added, "Mum and Dad were over the moon when they heard. They said they're inviting you over for a proper thank-you dinner."

Cael waved them off. "You don't have to thank me. Ginny's like my own little sister. And besides, Ron and Harry were the ones who decided to go down there—I just tagged along."

Lee leaned forward, eyes wide with excitement. "Is it true? You fought a full-on duel with You-Know-Who?"

Harry nodded gravely. "He saved us all. Fought Riddle one-on-one. You should've seen it."

"Bloody hell," Ron whispered, "you survived that?"

Cael rubbed the back of his neck. "Barely. He threw multiple Killing Curses at me. It wasn't a duel—it was a war."

"So you are not The prankster of Gryffindor or The enemy of Slytherin ' anymore," Lee said with a grin. "You're the boy who came out alive."

The group burst into laughter, lightening the mood in the ward. After a few more rounds of teasing and stories, the group eventually filtered out, leaving only Hermione and Cael once more.

Until the door opened again.

She stepped in like she owned the room—tall, poised, her sharp eyes scanning the scene.

"You're an idiot," Cassandra said flatly, walking straight toward Cael. "Reckless, stupid, and infuriating. Every time something dangerous happens, you're the first to run toward it. What if you'd died, Cael?"

Cael raised an eyebrow.

"Ah, princess. You finally came. I wasn't expecting you."

She rolled her eyes. "Of course I came. You're my friend—even if you are a suicidal moron. Someone has to be there to pick up your body." Her voice held a teasing edge, but there was real concern behind her words.

Cael chuckled. "Next time, I promise to send you an owl beforehand, so you can arrange a nice burial plot."

Cassandra turned her gaze to Hermione. Her eyes narrowed slightly, her tone polite but pointed.

"So… you're Hermione Granger. I've heard a lot about you—from Cael."

Hermione offered a cool, polite smile. "Hello. I didn't know Cael was friends with Slytherins."

Cassandra's eyebrows rose.

"Is there a problem with that?"

"Not necessarily," Hermione replied. "It's just… unusual. Especially a Gryffindor being close with a pure-blood from Slytherin ."

"Unusual doesn't mean wrong," Cassandra said crisply. "I've known him longer than you have."

Hermione's smile faded. She turned her face away without a word.

Cassandra gave Cael one last look. "I just came to make sure you were still breathing. Try not to die before term ends, will you?"

"Bye, princess," Cael called after her.

Once she left, Hermione turned to him.

"How do you know someone like her? She's from Slytherin —and she acts like she knows everything."

Cael leaned back, amused.

"We met on the train in first year. She was kind of my rival then. During the summer, something happened in London and I saved her. After that, we became friends."

Hermione crossed her arms. "Still seems odd. She acts… arrogant."

Cael smiled. "She might seem that way at first. But once you get to know her, you'd be surprised. You two could even be friends."

Hermione looked doubtful. "I really doubt that."

Cael just smiled, saying nothing more.