Harry Potter : Cael Vale’s journey to Hogwarts

The heavy door of the Flourish and Blotts creaked shut behind Cassandra as she stepped out into the cool Diagon Alley evening. The cobbled street was still bustling, but her mind was elsewhere — replaying the conversation with Cael over and over.

She tightened her cloak around her shoulders as her family's house-elf, Pimsy, popped beside her with a quiet crack. The little creature bowed low, ears flopping.

"Shall we go home, Miss?" Pimsy asked, peering up at her with bright, tennis-ball eyes.

Cassandra nodded, her long blonde curls falling over her shoulders. "Yes, let's go."

In the blink of an eye, they vanished from the street, the familiar pull of magical travel washing over her.

The grand foyer of her family's manor came into focus — high ceilings, polished marble floors, and the soft scent of flowers from her father's greenhouses drifting through the air. Cassandra shrugged off her cloak and walked towards the drawing room, where the glow of the fireplace flickered.

Her mother, Selene Vole, sat curled in a velvet armchair, a book resting on her knee. Selene's golden -blonde hair tumbled down her back like silk, her features as flawless and ethereal as ever — the unmistakable beauty passed down from generations of Veela ancestry.

Selene looked up with a gentle smile. "So, how was your meeting with your friend? Was it good?"

Cassandra slid into the chair across from her, tucking her legs beneath her. "It was fine," she replied, brushing her hair back. "We talked at the Flourish and Blotts. The place He is working… when I arrived he was reading."

Selene's eyes twinkled. "Ah, a hardworking boy. That's rare these days."

Cassandra leaned back, her thoughts drifting again to Cael — head buried in a book, lost in thought despite the noise around him. Hardworking was right. And… brave, too. Not many Muggle-borns would dare defy the world the way he does. Especially now, when the old families whisper and sneer, and the Ministry turns a blind eye. He works hard — for himself, for a future. That alone was… impressive.

Selene tilted her head, studying her daughter. "You're thinking about him."

Cassandra blinked, caught off guard. "I… maybe."

A small, knowing smile spread across Selene's face. "I'm glad. I'm happy you've finally made a friend to talk to. And a good friend, it sounds like. You can trust him."

Cassandra smirked. "He's a good friend… but an annoying one."

Her mother chuckled softly. "Boys usually are. especially Spirited boys . Your father was unbearable when he was young."

"Really?" Cassandra grinned, curiosity sparked. "You didn't like him at first?"

"Oh, Merlin, no," Selene laughed, resting her chin in her hand. "He was reckless, arrogant, always getting into trouble… everyone wondered how he ended up in Hufflepuff when his wildness seemed made for Gryffindor."

Cassandra's smile widened. "Then… why did you choose him?"

Selene's eyes softened, the firelight dancing in them as memories stirred. "It's a funny story… When I was in my sixth year at Hogwarts, there was this boy — a Ravenclaw — who kept bothering me. Wanted me to be his girlfriend. His family was… powerful. Dangerous. I didn't like him, but I was scared."

Cassandra leaned in, listening closely.

"And then," Selene continued, "your father swooped in, all awkward smiles and confidence, and asked me to be his girlfriend. I didn't even like him that much back then… but I said yes — to keep the Ravenclaw boy away."

Cassandra chuckled. "So Dad got lucky?"

Selene shook her head fondly. "No… I got lucky. He turned out to be the kindest, most genuine man I've ever known. And, let's be honest, still ridiculously handsome."

They both laughed, the room filled with warmth for a moment.

Later that night, Cassandra retreated to her bedroom. Moonlight poured through the tall windows, casting silver streaks over the polished floors. She stood by her mirror, brushing her hair absentmindedly, her mind spinning.

Trust, her mother had said. But Cassandra… she wasn't used to trusting anyone.

She grew up surrounded by the pure-blood world — endless parties, smiling faces hiding selfish intentions. The boys? Spoiled brats, most of them. Arrogant, entitled, clever in the worst way. And the girls? No better. They only cared about appearances, marrying well, their silly pure-blood pride.

She sighed. Her family… they weren't like that. Her parents were gentle, quiet people — their work with plants and magical creatures keeping them far from the political games.

But Cassandra? She was different — beautiful, yes, dangerously so. The Veela blood in her veins saw to that. Her great-grandmother, a full Veela. Her grandmother, part Veela. Her mother, stunning beyond reason. And Cassandra… cursed with beauty that turned heads everywhere she went.

One boy, years ago, had dared to say she would be his wife one day — tried to kiss her without permission.

She had slapped him so hard he stumbled back.

Since then, she'd built walls around herself. Her grandmother always warned her: Men will chase beauty. Guard your heart, guard your trust. So she had. No friends. No attachments. Arrogance became her shield.

Political marriage proposals came and went — the worst being from the Malfoys. Lucius and Narcissa whispering, plotting, trying to tie her to Draco. Even now, Draco watched her, smug and entitled, thinking she might be his.

She wasn't property. She wasn't for sale. And her parents, thankfully, never forced her down that path.

Still… her guard remained high. Her independence fierce.

But Cael…

The first boy different from the rest.

She remembered the train to Hogwarts — him stumbling into her carriage, awkward, smiling. Watching him over the year, observing, wary as always. But slowly, she saw more — courage, kindness… real work, not privilege. And after that day in London, when he saved her from those monsters — risking himself for her — the walls cracked, just a little.

Maybe… she thought, curling under her blankets, eyes fluttering shut, maybe I can trust him. At least a little.

And for the first time in years, Cassandra drifted to sleep with a soft smile on her lips.