The Chronicles of Blood and Fire (HP Fanfic)

The Hogwarts Express rolled steadily along its tracks, cutting through the vast countryside like a red serpent beneath the pale sky. Inside one of its many compartments, the air was warm, filled with the soft rhythm of wheels clattering against rails and the occasional laughter of students passing by in the corridor.

Caelum sat by the window, his hood pushed back slightly, watching the scenery blur past. The conversation had long since quieted after brief introductions.

But he noticed it.

A glance. Then another.

Not rude. Not judgmental. Just… curious.

Cedric Diggory, seated across from him, tried to be subtle. A flick of his gaze every now and then. Never quite a stare, but close.

Caelum let it drag out a little, just long enough to confirm the pattern. Then he spoke.

"You can ask."

Cedric blinked. "What?"

"You're curious."

Caelum turned slightly, letting the light from the window hit his face fully. His skin, pale as moonlight, caught the glow with a faint unnatural sheen. His eyes—yellow, sharp, reflective—gleamed faintly in the sunlight like a predator's.

"About how I look," Caelum clarified.

Cedric flushed. "I didn't mean to stare. Sorry. You just—your eyes are kind of…"

"Predatory?" Caelum offered.

Cedric winced. "No—I mean… yes, kind of. But not in a bad way. Just different."

Caelum gave a dry half-smile.

"I'm a half-vampire."

The statement hung in the air like a struck chord. Cedric's brow lifted slightly, but to his credit, his expression didn't shift into fear or alarm. Just surprised interest.

"Oh," he said after a beat. "That's… rare, right?"

"Very."

"Is it… dangerous?"

Caelum tilted his head, amused. "Only if someone bleeds too close to me."

Cedric laughed nervously.

"Kidding," Caelum added, "Mostly."

The tension cracked just a little, Cedric visibly relaxing. He leaned back in his seat, still looking thoughtful.

"So… do sunlight and garlic actually do anything?"

"Sunlight irritates, doesn't kill. Garlic's just gross," Caelum replied, smirking. "And no, I don't turn into bats."

That earned a genuine laugh. Cedric seemed to settle into his seat more fully.

"Teeth?" he added, making a gesture to his own mouth.

Caelum bared his slightly lengthened canines for a moment. "Just slightly more noticeable when I'm hungry."

Cedric grinned. "That's kind of cool."

The rest of the journey passed in more relaxed conversation. Cedric dove into a passionate recounting of his favorite Quidditch moments, from backyard broom races with his dad to the dream of trying out for the house team someday. He spoke like someone full of purpose and joy. Caelum found himself listening, responding occasionally, quietly entertained.

"You don't like Quidditch?" Cedric asked after a while.

"Never really watched a full match," Caelum admitted. "I know the basics."

Cedric gasped. "We'll fix that. First week, I'll take you to the pitch. You've got to feel it—broomstick roaring beneath you, wind in your face, the crowd—"

"Sounds like you've thought about this a lot."

"All the time," Cedric said proudly.

Caelum nodded, though his eyes drifted again to the window. As Cedric launched into another story, Caelum's mind turned elsewhere.

Cedric Diggory.

Bright. Confident. Kind.

A boy full of light and promise—one of the well-known characters from the Harry Potter story.

And fated to die in the graveyard six years later.

The Triwizard Tournament. Voldemort's return. Wormtail's spell.

He remembered the moment Cedric's life was snuffed out like a candle.

But that was the original story.

This time… was different.

He was here now.

An anomaly. A ripple in the timeline.

I don't know how much I can change…

But I'm not going to let it all unfold the same.

He glanced back at Cedric—still laughing, still alive.

Not if I can help it.