Harry Potter : Cael Vale’s journey to Hogwarts

Two days passed at Hogwarts, and life returned to its usual rhythm. Students bustled through the castle halls, finding their way to classes. Some, especially first-years, often got lost in the endless corridors or stuck on the moving staircases that led them to unexpected places. The older students, as always, stood by laughing, finding endless amusement in the younger students' confusion. It was almost a tradition—the seniors teasing the new ones when they stumbled, cried, or lost their way. Life at Hogwarts carried on.

At lunchtime that day, the Great Hall was alive with chatter and clinking cutlery as students from every house enjoyed their meals. But suddenly, a loud scream echoed from the Gryffindor table, silencing the room. All heads turned toward the sound.

It was Neville Longbottom. His face had swollen so much it looked deformed—puffed up like a balloon. The first-year students sitting beside him shrieked in fear at the sight. The entire hall fell into stunned silence.

From the staff table, Professor McGonagall rushed over, her sharp eyes scanning the scene. It didn't take long for everyone's gaze to shift toward the usual troublemakers—the Weasley twins, Lee Jordan, and Cael.

"Did you do this?" Professor McGonagall demanded, her voice stern. "Because if you did, it's not funny. Dangerous pranks like this on first-years are not how Gryffindor students should behave."

Cael stood up calmly, shaking his head. "Professor, that wasn't us. We'd never pull something like this on our own house."

Fred grinned slightly, adding, "And even if we did, we wouldn't be so careless to do it in front of the professors. We'd be a lot sneakier about it."

Professor McGonagall's lips twitched ever so slightly, as though suppressing a smile. But she quickly turned away, taking Neville to Madam Pomfrey for treatment.

Once McGonagall was gone, the hall erupted in laughter again. Even students from other houses couldn't hold back their chuckles. Over at the Slytherin table, Draco Malfoy leaned toward Crabbe and Goyle, sneering.

"Did you see his face?" Draco laughed cruelly. "Looked just like his parents—pathetic."

The other Slytherins roared with laughter.

Harry Potter's face darkened. He stood up, glaring across the hall. "At least Neville isn't a coward like you, Malfoy," Harry shot back. "Hiding behind your table, laughing at other people's pain doesn't make you superior."

A grin curled on Harry's lips. "Malfoy the Chalfoy," he added, the nonsense nickname clearly meant to mock him.

The insult was ridiculous, but Malfoy's face flushed with anger as he jumped to his feet. The two boys started arguing, their voices rising.

Just then, Professor Snape entered the hall, his eyes sharp as they landed on Harry. "Mr. Potter," Snape snapped, "what do you think you're doing? Disturbing the peace of the Great Hall?"

Harry looked at him with his green eyes with disgust and clenched his fists but said nothing. 

"Five points from Gryffindor for disrespecting the professor " 

Snape gave him a look full of disdain and walked away.

The meal continued, students whispering and laughing, some still speculating about who had pranked Neville. George turned to Cael with a smirk. "If we had done it, wouldn't we be proud of our work?"

Lee Jordan chuckled. "We'd definitely brag, not sit here pretending."

But no matter how much they looked around, no clues pointed to who was behind it. For now, they let it go—maybe just a harmless prank by some bold first-year.

But the incidents didn't stop there. That evening, another first-year was found stuck to the castle wall with some kind of magical glue. Only his face was free; the rest of his body was plastered to the stones, unable to move or speak. When the professors freed him and asked what happened, the boy had no answers. He didn't know who had done it.

Over the next few days, more students became targets. And it wasn't random—it was always Muggle-borns, half-bloods, or those who openly supported them.

Sitting with Fred, George, and Lee in the common room, Cael frowned. "We have to find out who's doing this."

Lee nodded. "I'm certain it's a Slytherin, but I can't prove who."

They agreed to keep watch and see who the next targets would be.

By Thursday, the castle buzzed with excitement—first-year flying lessons were scheduled for that morning . Every student was eager to finally ride a broomstick. Over at the Slytherin table, Draco Malfoy was holding court, boasting loudly.

"My father bought me a Nimbus 2000," Draco bragged. "Fastest broom out there. I flew so high I kicked a helicopter and made it explode."

A few girls, especially Pansy Parkinson, giggled and listened in awe, eyes sparkling like he was some kind of hero.

Nearby, Harry and Ron rolled their eyes, clearly unimpressed.

Cael watched quietly, curious to see if this year's events would unfold like the stories he remembered from his old life. He wanted to see it all play out with his own eyes.

That morning, their first class was Charms with Professor Flitwick. The lesson was lighthearted—the professor taught them a spell designed to lift people's moods. Soon, the room was filled with students casting the charm on each other, laughing and teasing.

By lunchtime, Cael sat at the Gryffindor table, listening as Malfoy loudly claimed that Harry was going to be expelled. Ron looked anxious.

"What happened?" Cael asked, leaning in.

Ron groaned. "Flying lesson. Malfoy challenged Harry to fly. Said if he didn't, he'd disgrace the Potter name."

"And?" Cael pressed.

"They flew. Professor McGonagall caught them. She took Harry away—probably to expel him."

Cael smirked. "Relax, no one gets expelled for that. I snuck a quick flight last year and only got a warning."

Katie Bell joined them, teasing, "Yeah, but you still lost every flying race against me."

She giggled as Cael rolled his eyes. "Alright, alright—you're good at flying. You trying out for the team this year?"

"Of course," Katie said confidently. "Oliver Wood's looking for new players, and I'm going to win my spot."

"You should try out too," she added, nudging Cael. "Your flying's not hopeless but still not as good as me ." As she said she made funny faces to him 

Before Cael could respond, Harry returned, grinning from ear to ear. He plopped down beside Ron.

"I made it to the team," Harry whispered, barely containing his excitement. "I'm the new Gryffindor Seeker—the youngest one in a century!"

Ron nearly choked on his food. "You—what? You're the Seeker?"

Half the table overheard, and soon, the news spread. Fred and George ran over, beaming.

"You're our new Seeker? Brilliant so that's why professor took you !"

Harry's smile widened. "My dad was a Chaser —one of the best at his time he won 4 trophies for Gryffindor ."

Cael leaned back, thinking. At least that part's still happening the same way.

But the celebration was short-lived. Draco Malfoy approached with his usual smirk.

"Got yourself expelled yet, Potter? Hope you will be packing your bag since your daddy will come to take you home …. tsk tsk tsk " he sneered.

Before Harry could reply, Ron cut in. "Nope. He's the new Gryffindor Seeker—youngest in a hundred years. And thanks for helping him " as he said that he grinned 

Malfoy's face twisted with frustration. He tossed a small handkerchief onto the table. "Midnight. Trophy Room. Duel me if you don't come to the duel you will be Spitting on your family's honor Potter."

Hermione immediately stood up, flustered. "Absolutely not! You can't go sneaking around at night—it's against the rules."

Ron waved her off. "We're going."

Harry nodded. "You better show up, Malfoy."

Malfoy grinned and strutted back to the Slytherin table.

Cael listened, a quiet smile on his face. Tonight's the famous scene—the duel that leads them to the Forbidden Corridor. I'm not missing this.

Tonight, he'd follow them. This time, he wouldn't just read about it—he'd witness it all himself.