The Chronicles of Blood and Fire (HP Fanfic)

The morning rain had lifted by midday, casting a silver sheen over the castle grounds. Inside the Great Hall, the hum of conversation filled the air as students settled in for lunch before their next class.

Caelum sat quietly with his usual companions. Evran Thorne was beside him, halfway through an enthusiastic retelling of Professor Snape's dramatic entrance earlier in Potions class. Bastian Flint, a few seats down, was arguing over Quidditch stats with another Slytherin.

"Honestly," Evran said, tearing apart a bread roll, "Snape doesn't even pretend to like us. I'm not sure if he actually favors Slytherin, or just hates everyone else more."

Caelum hummed mildly in response, sipping his pumpkin juice. His eyes drifted around the Hall. Things felt... almost peaceful.

That was when a shadow fell across the table.

Without a word, a girl approached and sat down directly across from him. She placed her tray carefully, her movements measured and deliberate, and looked him straight in the eyes.

"You know he'll realize it soon," the girl said plainly, in a soft, calm manner. "Avery. Even with that puffed-up ego of his, he'll eventually figure out you nudged his mind."

Evran blinked, startled. "Um... are you talking to me or…?"

The girl didn't respond to him. Her eyes stayed on Caelum.

Caelum slowly turned his gaze to meet hers. "He took in her appearance—dark hair styled in a half-up braid, the rest falling loose around her shoulders; storm-grey eyes that didn't flinch; her face framed in calm, unyielding elegance.

But it wasn't just her features. It was her bearing, every inch of her demeanor spoke of noble upbringing—of someone raised not just with manners, but with expectations."

She was used to being listened to.

Caelum said nothing for a moment. Then, with a slow nod, he replied, "I figured as much. Thank you for the warning."

Her lips curved slightly, just a flicker of amusement. "Just don't be surprised when he tries something stupid."

She rose to leave but paused.

"Vesper Blackbourne," she said, offering her name like a soft challenge.

Caelum inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment. As she turned, her eyes flicked briefly to the tray in front of him. He followed her glance—to the plate of sugared strawberries he'd picked for lunch himself, along with pumpkin juice.

Then she was gone, returning to her seat at the far end of the Slytherin table without further word.

Evran blinked again. "What was that?"

Caelum smirked faintly and picked up a strawberry. "An ally, perhaps."

…

Their next class was Charms, taught by the legendary Professor Flitwick. The half-goblin professor stood atop a stack of books behind his lectern, beaming at the incoming students.

"Ah! First-years! Welcome, welcome," he said with a warm, reedy voice. "I'm Professor Flitwick—former dueling champion, spell theorist, and your guide through the wonders of charmcraft!"

The room lit up with murmurs of excitement.

Flitwick's eyes scanned the students and briefly settled on Caelum. There was a flicker of recognition—less from notoriety and more of something else. Something shared.

"Mr. Sanguine," he said with a nod. "Glad to have you in class."

Caelum returned the gesture politely. He didn't miss the subtle shift in Flitwick's tone—understanding, even a hint of kinship. As a half-goblin, Flitwick had once faced his own share of quiet sneers and whispered judgments. It seemed he understood far more than he let on.

"Well then!" Flitwick clapped his small hands. "Let's begin with a foundational charm: Lumos! Light from darkness, and the beginning of every wizard's journey."

As the students pulled out their wands and repeated the incantation, Caelum focused. The wand in his hand hummed with familiar warmth—a tool, finally his own, no longer borrowed or broken.

He spoke the word with steady purpose. "Lumos."

A pure white light bloomed at the tip.

He was no longer in the shadows of Greystone. No longer a hunted creature, a problem to be studied, restrained, or silenced.

He was a student.

He was a wizard.

And for the first time in years, Caelum felt the world open—just a little wider.