Harry Potter : Cael Vale’s journey to Hogwarts

August 31st

The streets of Diagon Alley bustled with excitement as families made their final purchases and young witches and wizards clutched their new wands, robes, and books. For some, this was the start of their magical journey. For others, it was simply another year at Hogwarts.

For Cael, it was both a relief and a thrill.

Two reasons made this year special: First, he would finally see the famous Harry Potter—the Boy Who Lived. Second, he would finally be free from work in Diagon Alley.

With his trunk packed, Cael made his rounds, saying goodbye to the people who had been part of his summer. Tom, the owner of the Leaky Cauldron, gave him a cheerful farewell, while the owner of Flourish and Blotts handed him his last week's pay with a friendly nod. Madam Malkin, on the other hand, was far less pleased to see him go—after all, Cael had been good for business.

Once his goodbyes were done, Cael stepped into the emerald flames of the Floo Network and arrived at King's Cross Station. It didn't take long for him to slip through the barrier onto Platform 9¾.

The Hogwarts Express stood there, gleaming in the morning sun—a proud, old engine that had been carrying students to Hogwarts since the 1800s.

It was still early, just after ten. The platform was quiet compared to the usual frenzy. Cael boarded the train, found an empty compartment, threw his trunk onto the rack, and stretched out across the seat. A book lay forgotten on his face as he drifted into a light sleep.

The distant hum of conversation grew louder as more families arrived. Parents called to their children; owls hooted from cages. The familiar chaos of departure day had begun.

Cael stirred, groaning softly as he sat up. With a flick of his wand and a muttered Scourgify, he straightened his clothes and cleaned himself up. He glanced out the window just in time to see a flurry of red hair racing across the platform—the Weasley family.

Molly Weasley's voice carried across the platform, full of urgency and frustration as she lectured Fred and George, no doubt for some prank or another. Cael couldn't help but grin.

Moments later, the compartment door slammed open with the force of a rogue Bludger.

"Oi, move over, Cael! Your favorite Gryffindor disaster duo has arrived!" Fred Weasley announced, tripping over his trunk as he barged in.

"Correction," George added, right behind him, "it's a disaster gang now."

Lee Jordan followed, a wide grin on his face and a suspiciously rattling box under his arm.

Cael raised a brow, smirking. "Pretty sure the train has a separate carriage for animals. And whatever that is… it's not for pets."

"It's not an animal," Lee replied with mock innocence. "You'll see."

Fred sprawled onto the seat across from Cael. "Big year ahead, eh? You hear about the Boy Who Lived making his grand debut?"

George clasped his chest dramatically. "The Chosen One! The Baby Who Blew Up the Dark Lord!"

Cael snorted. "You lot are going to scare the life out of him before term even starts, aren't you?"

"Us? Never," Fred said, eyes wide with false innocence.

"We're professionals," George added, patting Cael on the shoulder. "And you, my friend, will be right there with us."

Lee set down the box, which hissed softly. "Forget Potter for a minute. The real entertainment is Percy strutting up and down the train like he owns it."

Fred groaned. "Don't remind me. 'O.W.L.s are a serious responsibility,'" he mimicked in a nasal voice.

George puffed out his chest, imitating Percy's self-important stance. "Mother expects better behavior from you two this year. I'm a prefect now. I have duties."

Cael chuckled. "Didn't he say something about 'upholding the highest standards of Hogwarts tradition'?"

Fred slapped a hand to his forehead. "Merlin help us, he did."

Lee pulled out a small mirror, admiring his reflection. "Look at me, I'm Percy, beacon of rule-following excellence! Not one of you shall make Trouble in the Hogwarts as long as I am a member of prefect, I will uphold the justice even if you are my brothers "

Their laughter echoed in the compartment, interrupted only when Lee finally opened the rattling box.

Out crawled a spider.

A huge, hairy-legged spider—not an Acromantula, but big enough to make anyone reconsider their life choices.

Cael blinked, unimpressed. "You brought that?"

"Found him in the garden," Lee explained. "Thought he'd spice things up."

Fred's face lit up with glee. George looked ready to burst with excitement.

Cael with his false kindness , leaned forward. "We should let it roam it's not good to put it in the box it's animal cruelty ."

George's eyes gleamed. "Picture the screams."

"Imagine the first-years," Fred whispered, hands clasped like a villain plotting his masterpiece.

Lee nodded. "Sorting Hat won't even need to speak. They'll run home crying."

Cael cracked open the door, and the spider scuttled out, its eight legs clicking softly against the floor. The door shut behind it, and for a moment, they all sat in blissful silence, imagining the chaos.

It didn't take long.

Screams rang down the corridor.

"IT'S A MONSTER!"

"MUMMY!"

Through the frosted window, they spotted the spider creeping along, startling students left and right. Luggage toppled. Chocolate Frogs flew. First-years climbed onto seats. Older students pressed themselves against the walls.

Cael and the others were in stitches, doubled over with laughter.

Then the door slammed open again.

There stood Percy, his prefect badge gleaming like a lighthouse, his expression sour as if he swallowed a whole lemon .

"Was. It. You. Lot." His voice dripped with suspicion.

Fred straightened, feigning innocence. "Us? Accusations hurt, dear brother."

George clutched his chest dramatically. "And without evidence!"

Lee casually kicked the empty box beneath his seat. "Could've been any spider."

Cael, deadpan, met Percy's glare. "Maybe it sensed the arrival of the Prefect of Perfect Pompousness."

Percy's ears flushed crimson. "When I find proof, Mother will hear of this."

Fred leaned in, whispering, "I think the badge polish fumes got to him."

George added, "Next he'll be organizing spider patrols."

Lee grinned, watching the spider vanish into another carriage. "Bet it's got better prefect presence than him."

The compartment erupted with laughter as Percy stormed off, muttering about disgraceful behavior.

Cael wiped a tear from his eye, settling back with a satisfied grin. "Best start to the year yet."

But what he didn't know—was that the start of this year won't be that good 

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