Harry Potter : Cael Vale’s journey to Hogwarts

Afternoon – Hogwarts Corridor

The stone corridor echoed softly with Hermione's footsteps as she made her way toward the library, her arms full of books, her mind already sorting through the lessons from that day's classes. The usual chatter of students filled the halls, but her steps slowed when she noticed a group gathered near the far wall.

A knot of Slytherins, their green-and-silver ties catching the light, stood in a tight circle. In the middle, trembling and red-faced, was Neville Longbottom.

"Look at this idiot," sneered one of the older boys, he looked like to be in his fourth grade . "He forgets everything—his memory's worse than a troll's."

Neville's eyes were wide, glistening with tears as the boys snickered.

"If I were you, I wouldn't even bother showing up to Hogwarts," another taunted.

The cruelest of them, tall and sharp-faced, laughed. "Did you lot hear? His uncle dropped him from a second-floor window. Tried to scare the magic out of him because he was squib—and all he got was a hospital visit!"

The group burst into laughter, the sound sharp and heartless.

Hermione's fists clenched around her books as anger flared in her chest. She marched toward them, her voice cutting through the mocking.

"How dare you? Don't you have any shame, bullying someone younger than you? Especially Neville—he's done nothing to deserve this."

The group turned, sneering. One of them curled his lip in disgust. "This doesn't concern you, Mudblood. Keep walking."

Hermione's heart pounded. "Say that word again, and I'll report you to the professors right now."

Another boy stepped forward, his expression smug. "Go ahead, Mudblood. Or stay. But either way, you'll regret it."

Before anything else could happen, a grating voice interrupted them.

"What's this? Loitering in the corridors? Making noise?" Argus Filch scowled as he approached, Mrs. Norris prowling at his heels. "Clear off, all of you."

Grumbling, the boys dispersed, but not before one of them muttered under his breath, "That little Mudblood's getting too brave. Someone should remind her where she belongs."

⸻

Evening – Hogwarts Grounds

The evening sky bled into dark blue, the last streaks of sunlight sinking behind the hills. The grounds were quiet—too quiet.

Cael moved along the edge of the grounds, a small package of potion ingredients tucked under his cloak. Hagrid had helped him buy them; most shops wouldn't sell those things to children . Healing herbs, mostly—just in case. Fights with pure-blood supremacists were becoming all too common.

"So much for 'I will be enjoying Hogwarts,'" the system's voice teased inside his head.

Cael sighed. "I am enjoying it… Hogwarts is just… more violent than expected and interesting as well as you get to beat some ass ."

" Fair enough , I don't judge someone for their preferences , and certainly not yours Masochist," the system teased again.

"Stop talking nonsense," Cael muttered, but his steps faltered as a low groan drifted from the shadows near the trees.

His eyes narrowed, the teasing forgotten. Moving quickly, he spotted a figure crumpled on the ground.

It was Hermione.

Her robes were torn, dirt streaked across her pale face, the faint shimmer of dark magic lingering in the air. Her breathing was shallow, her small frame unnaturally still.

A Bat-Bogey Hex hovered faintly around her, but something worse had been done. The spell residue was harsh, twisted—cruel.

Cael's stomach twisted. "What kind of monster does this to an eleven-year-old?" he muttered, dropping to his knees beside her.

She groaned weakly, barely conscious.

"Hey, Hermione," Cael said gently. "Can you hear me? Tell me where you're hurt so I don't make it worse."

But she couldn't answer—just soft, pained sounds.

Without hesitating, Cael scooped her into his arms, standing quickly. His sharp expression, usually unreadable, cracked with quiet anger as he hurried across the grounds.

⸻

Hospital Wing – Moments Later

The doors to the Hospital Wing slammed open.

Madam Pomfrey's eyes widened. "Set her down—quickly!" She rushed to them, her wand already glowing.

Cael laid Hermione gently on the bed, his jaw tight, blue eyes stormy.

"What happened?" Pomfrey demanded.

"I found her outside… near the trees," Cael replied flatly, his voice low but controlled.

Pomfrey worked fast—muttering spells, checking for curses, wiping away the remnants of dark magic.

Hermione stirred weakly, her eyes fluttering open, glassy with pain. "Cael… you… found me…"

"Yeah," he said softly. The usual sharp edge in his voice had faded.

She tried to sit up, but Pomfrey pressed her back gently.

"My books… outside… please…" Hermione's voice cracked.

"Don't worry, I'll bring them," Cael assured her. "Just rest."

"Save your strength," Pomfrey added firmly. "At this moment Books can wait."

Cael stepped back, his fists clenched as he watched. His expression darkened with quiet rage. How could these bastards do this? he thought bitterly. To a little girl… what kind of person stoops that low?

The system's voice returned, colder now. "You humans surprise me every day. You should see what you humans do to each other and children are the first victims to pay the price."

Cael didn't answer. His chest burned with quiet fury.

Footsteps approached—the hurried sound of Professor McGonagall, with Dumbledore not far behind. They entered the ward as Pomfrey worked.

Dumbledore came in and asked " Poppy how is the students is she doing ok is it serious ?" 

Pomfrey sighed. "She'll recover… but honestly Albus , it's getting worse. Every day—students hexed, cursed, beaten like we're back in wartime."

McGonagall's hands trembled slightly. "You checked everything? Nothing else happened?" As she feared something worse would have happened to her student which even thinking about it churned her stomach 

"I checked thoroughly," Pomfrey confirmed. "Nothing worse, thank Merlin."

McGonagall's shoulders relaxed. "Good. I'll speak with Mr. Vale."

⸻

Outside the Hospital Wing

Cael stood quietly in the corridor when McGonagall approached him.

"Mr. Vale," she began gently, "tell me exactly how you found Miss Granger."

He explained everything—the dark grounds, Hermione near the trees, her injuries.

McGonagall's eyes softened, but her lips pressed into a tight line. "Thank you, Cael. You did the right thing."

Before returning to the common room, Cael slipped outside, collecting Hermione's scattered books from the ground where she'd fallen.

He held them tightly as he walked back through the quiet halls, his expression unreadable—but his mind already turning.