Harry Potter : Cael Vale’s journey to Hogwarts

After finishing his meal, Cael stood up and made his way around the Gryffindor table. Near the end, three familiar faces lit up as he approached—Angelina Johnson, Katie Bell, and Alicia Spinnet.

"Well, well," Cael greeted with a playful grin. "Hello, ladies. Long time, no see."

Angelina smiled, raising a brow. "Yeah, long time no see, Cael. What've you been up to? I heard you were working at Flourish and Blotts in Diagon Alley. I stopped by once, but you weren't there."

"Ah, probably my day off," Cael replied with a shrug. "Or maybe I was hiding from you."

Katie crossed her arms, pouting dramatically. "You were hiding from me too, then? I invited you to my place this summer, but you never showed up. I'm still mad at you."

Cael chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Come on, Katie, I couldn't make it. I was working—seriously."

Alicia giggled. "Yeah, working… wasn't it taking photos for Madam Malkin's catalog?" The three girls burst out laughing, teasing him.

Cael rolled his eyes, but the smile stayed on his face. "Right, right. Laugh it up."

Angelina's tone shifted as she leaned in. "Jokes aside, there's a rumor going around. Did you really get into it with Fischer Frey on the train?"

Cael's smile faded slightly. He nodded. "Yeah… it's true."

The girls exchanged uneasy glances.

"I was out in the corridor to clear my head," Cael explained. "He came after me, ran his mouth, and tried to hex me. I defended myself. That's all."

Alicia frowned. "But you and Frey had that huge fight last year too, didn't you? He's still carrying that grudge."

"He is," Cael agreed. "And now McGonagall's called me to Dumbledore's office for a nice little chat about it."

"Well, good luck with that," Katie muttered.

Cael gave them a wave and headed out, weaving through the crowds until he reached the stone gargoyle guarding the Headmaster's office.

"Chocolate Puffball," he said.

The staircase spiraled upward, and soon Cael stood inside the office. Dumbledore sat behind his desk, looking as calm as ever. To the side, Professor McGonagall sat with a stern look, and Snape loomed nearby, arms crossed, eyes sharp.

"Come in, Mr. Vale," Dumbledore said kindly.

Cael sat down, trying to keep his nerves hidden.

"So," Dumbledore began, "care to tell us what happened?"

Before Cael could speak, Fischer Frey, standing to the side, jumped in.

"He insulted me, sir. He was trying to hex the first-years. I stepped in as a prefect to stop him from injuring the new students , and he attacked me," Frey said, his voice full of fake concern.

McGonagall's eyes narrowed. "I find that hard to believe," she said flatly, glancing at Cael.

Dumbledore's gaze turned to him. "Is that true, Mr. Vale?"

Cael tilted his head slightly. "Well, Mr. Frey has quite the imagination so it's hard to believe anything from a Slytherin . But no, that's not what happened. I went out for some air. Frey found me, called me names—filthy names—and threatened me. He threw the first curse. I defended myself."

Snape sneered. "Be careful, Mr. Vale. You're treading dangerous ground, slandering my students and Slytherin house."

McGonagall shot Snape a sharp look. "He's a second-year, Severus. Do you really believe he went looking for trouble with a sixth-year prefect?"

Snape scowled but stayed quiet.

McGonagall's gaze turned back to Cael. "Fighting on the train, with first-years watching? Either of you could've seriously hurt someone."

Snape's voice cut in again. "I demand Mr. Vale's expulsion. He's already shown reckless behavior."

Cael's jaw clenched as Frey smirked beside him. His blue eyes turned cold.

Before more words could fly, Dumbledore raised his hand.

"This happened off school grounds," the Headmaster said calmly. "I will not be docking house points, but both of you will face consequences."

Frey's smirk faltered.

"Mr. Frey, your prefect badge is revoked," Dumbledore continued.

Frey's face drained of color. "What? No—I was doing my duty—he—"

"Enough," Snape snapped, cutting him off. "You've embarrassed this house enough today. Hand over the badge."

Frey's protests died in his throat under Snape's glare. He stormed out of the office, throwing Cael a venomous look as he passed.

McGonagall stood as well. "Anything else, Albus?"

"I'd like a word with Mr. Vale," Dumbledore said.

With a final stern glance at Cael, McGonagall left.

The room fell quiet. Only Dumbledore, Snape, and Cael remained.

Dumbledore folded his hands. "Mr. Vale, I know there's history between you and Mr. Frey. I also know the dangers that come with that kind of rivalry. Tensions are high this year—for many reasons."

Snape crossed his arms again. "If he slips up, I'll see to it that he's expelled," he muttered.

Cael met Snape's glare head-on. "I'm not letting pure-blood supremacists walk all over me. I won't start fights, but I won't back down either. If defending myself gets me expelled, so be it. I'd rather lose magic than live in fear."

Snape's eyes darkened. "Is that a threat, Mr. Vale?"

"Enough," Dumbledore interrupted gently. "Mr. Vale, I expect you to be cautious. No more brawls. Understood?"

Cael stood. "Understood, sir."

Dumbledore nodded. "Good. You may return to your common room."

Cael left, his mind still racing, but his face unreadable.

The moment the door shut, Snape turned to Dumbledore. "Did you see that? He's looking for trouble with the wrong people. If he pushes them, the Ministry won't just expel him—they'll destroy him."

Dumbledore stared at the phoenix perched nearby, deep in thought. "Perhaps. But this year will test all of them… especially with Harry here."

Snape said nothing, sweeping from the room, his cloak trailing behind him.

Dumbledore leaned back, eyes on the portraits. "Watch them," he told them softly. "Harry. Cael. Both of them. This year, nothing will stay quiet for long."

The candles flickered as the night settled in, and the tension inside Hogwarts only grew heavier.