SWNOVELXO Chapter 233: Back Home
The following morning arrived with a golden haze drifting over the grounds of Hogwarts. Owls hooted overhead, trunks thudded against cobblestones, and the black steam engine of the Hogwarts Express whistled impatiently on the platform.
Students milled about in groups, dressed in Muggle clothes, chatting excitedly or wiping away sleepy tears. The carriages were already filling fast, and the sky was alive with fluttering owls delivering last-minute letters home.
Cael stood near the edge of the platform, Hermione beside him, Ron and Harry a few steps ahead helping the twins hoist their trunk into a compartment. Cassandra leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching it all with the same air of amused detachment she wore like a second skin.
"I can't believe it's already over," Hermione said softly, brushing a stray curl from her face. "This year felt… long. Like three years packed into one."
Cael chuckled. "You nearly got possessed by a dark artifact, I got cursed half to death, Harry stabbed a basilisk… yeah, that tracks."
Hermione gave him a half-hearted glare, then smiled.
"Still… I'm glad it ended like this."
"Me too."
They boarded together, finding an empty compartment as the train began to hiss and rumble beneath them. Through the windows, the turrets of Hogwarts slowly began to fade behind distant hills. Ron and Harry soon joined them, laughing about something Fred had said. Cassandra appeared a few minutes later, sliding the door open with an arched brow.
"Room for one more, or should I hex someone out?"
Cael gestured grandly. "Please, my lady. We'd be honored."
The ride was peaceful. For once, there was no talk of dark wizards or danger—just Quidditch scores, favorite subjects, books to read over the summer, and what sweets to buy off the trolley. Cael found himself smiling more than usual.
By the time the train screeched to a halt at King's Cross, the platform was swarming with waiting parents.
Mothers rushed forward, flinging arms around their children. Fathers lifted trunks with practiced ease. There were calls of "How was school?", tears, laughter, and the endless screech of trolleys on tile.
Cael stood with his trunk by his side, quietly observing.
Hermione turned to him first. She was already surrounded by her parents, who gave Cael a warm smile.
"Thank you again, Cael," she said. "For everything. Truly."
He nodded. "Take care, Hermione. Don't forget to write if you find any new books worth reading."
"I'll send you a list," she said with a grin, and then gave him a brief but heartfelt hug.
Ron and Harry came next. The Weasleys were already fussing over them, and Mrs. Weasley gave Cael a warm, bone-crushing hug.
"You're always welcome at the Burrow, dear. Any time."
"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley."
Fred gave him a nudge. "Be sure to stop by this summer. We've got a few prank ideas you'll want to see."
"Noted. I'll bring a shield charm."
Harry shook his hand firmly.
"I meant what I said, Cael. That duel… you were incredible. I wouldn't have made it without you."
"We survived together, mate," Cael said. "That's what matters."
Then came Cassandra. She walked up slowly, her usual sarcasm absent.
"Well, I guess this is goodbye… for now," she said. "Try not to get yourself cursed or hunted by ancient wizards over the summer."
Cael smirked. "No promises."
She stared at him for a moment longer, then pulled him into a quick, unexpected hug.
"See you next year, idiot."
"See you, princess."
And then they were all gone—one by one disappearing into the arms of their families, fading into the crowd of the Muggle world.
Cael stood alone on the platform for a moment, watching the bustle around him. He didn't wait for anyone. No one came for him.
But he was used to that.
He reached into his coat pocket, withdrawing a small bronze disk etched with runes. He stepped off to the side, near the old platform column, and tapped the disk with his wand. With a swirl of green flame, he vanished into the Floo Network.
The world twisted. Fire danced around his vision. And in a blink, he was standing in the hearth of his own home.
Silence.
The air was still. Dust motes floated in the afternoon sunlight, and the wooden floor creaked under his boots.
He set his trunk down and immediately moved through the house with sharp, practiced eyes—checking doors, testing wards, brushing his fingers over carved runes on the baseboards and walls. Each rune glowed faintly as he passed, the subtle hum of ancient protections still active. Nothing had been tampered with.
No signs of entry. No magical interference.
He finally let out a long, slow breath, walking into the main sitting room. The couch still sagged in the same spot it always had. The bookshelves stood untouched. The fireplace still bore soot from his last year visit home.
Cael dropped his bag onto the worn chair, looked around with a quiet smile, and whispered to no one in particular:
"Home , sweet Home ."