The next morning dawned with a golden haze over the Forbidden Forest, but for Cael Vale, the warmth of the sun did little to lighten the weight pressing on his chest.
The moment he stepped into the Great Hall, he felt it — a subtle shift in the air. Heads turned. Whispers began. And then he saw it.
Across every table, unfolded in eager, trembling hands, was the same bold headline:
"MINISTRY MOCKED BY HOGWARTS STUDENT: CHILD INTERRUPTS TRIAL IN SHAMEFUL DISPLAY"
By Rita Skeeter, Senior Correspondent
His heart sank.
Hermione had already grabbed a copy and was reading with her brow furrowed deeply. Harry looked up from beside her with a tight expression, and Ron — halfway through a bite of toast — muttered, "Merlin , they're going after you hard."
Cael pulled a paper from the Gryffindor table and scanned the front page.
Yesterday's legal proceedings regarding the dangerous beast known as a hippogriff took a disturbing turn when a Hogwarts student — a boy named Cael Vale — took it upon himself to interrupt official Ministry business and declare himself the legal representative of Rubeus Hagrid, a half-giant known for his questionable ties and record.
In a reckless and frankly arrogant display, the child barged into a courtroom filled with senior Ministry officials, brandished obscure laws he scarcely understood, and disrespected not only the process of justice but the entire judicial system. Sources close to the committee report that the boy's actions caused "chaos, embarrassment, and a severe breach of magical protocol."
It is worth noting that Cael Vale is said to be related to the ancient and infamous Black family — a name long associated with radicalism, blood politics, and instability. Some are beginning to wonder if this outburst is a sign that Hogwarts is nurturing dangerous political ambition among its students.
"A boy like that has no place interfering in Ministry law," commented Councilor Septima Vance. "He's a child, not a barrister. He insulted the integrity of the court and embarrassed the Headmaster by association."
Other critics argue that Vale's closeness to Harry Potter — himself a figure of controversy — suggests an increasing problem of recklessness among Hogwarts youth.
Cael let the paper drop.
Across the hall, students were already whispering. Ravenclaws skimmed the article with narrowed eyes; Hufflepuffs looked back at Cael with unsure expressions. But it was the Slytherin table that reacted with the most obvious glee.
Draco Malfoy was holding court like a king.
"You see this?" he called out loudly, waving the paper. "Even the Daily Prophet thinks he's delusional. Interfering with the Ministry! Who does he think he is — some kind of magical prodigy politician?"
His cronies laughed loudly. "Maybe he'll get a job cleaning the Wizengamot floors!" one shouted.
Cael ignored them and walked to the Gryffindor table.
Seamus leaned over. "Don't listen to that drivel, mate. You were brilliant. What did they expect? Let Hagrid hang just because Malfoy's got a rich dad?"
Dean nodded. "Everyone in here knows the truth. We saw you — you stood up for what was right. That's what counts."
Neville, quieter than most, looked up from his toast. "My gran says it takes real courage to speak when others want you silent. She'd have liked what you did."
Hermione glanced sideways at him. "You were amazing. And every law you cited was correct. I checked. They just can't stand that a student knows more than their overpaid bureaucrats."
Harry gave him a small but meaningful nod. "They'll shout all they want. But we know. You did the right thing."
Still, the paper made him irritated . The way it twisted everything — reducing his defense of Hagrid into some arrogant stunt, framing his heritage like a stain, dragging in his relationship with Harry as if friendship were corruption.
He couldn't help but hear the murmurs from the Hufflepuff table:
"Do you think he really knows the law, or was it just bluffing?"
"I heard he used some ancient family loophole…"
"He didn't even witness the hippogriff thing, right? Isn't that perjury?"
And more from Slytherin:
"Another fame-chaser. First Potter, now this Vale boy."
"Next thing you know, he'll be running for Minister."
But for every sneer, there were admiring glances too.
A pair of second-year Gryffindors whispered to each other as Cael passed. "That's him!"
"He actually stood up to Lucius Malfoy!"
"He sounded like one of those old heroes from the war!"
Even a couple of Ravenclaws offered a respectful nod as he sat down.
Still, Cael wasn't smiling. He slowly buttered a slice of toast without tasting it, eyes fixed on the table. The Daily Prophet had power — more than most people realized. One article could shape public opinion. One lie, repeated enough, could become truth.
"I suppose I've made more enemies now," Cael muttered.
Hermione huffed. "Yes, and powerful ones. But also allies. Important ones."
"You bought time for Hagrid," Harry said. "That was worth it."
Cael stared at his cup, the fire in him dimmed but not extinguished. "The truth used to matter more."
"Then you'll just have to remind them," Hermione said gently.
And even through the weight of the headlines, the sneers, and the suspicion, Cael knew she was right.