First of many long days
Cale knew he was being obvious and standing out but if he didn’t get the Slytherin's respect he would be eaten alive (as if that would ever happen). He needed to sort his position in this hierarchy as soon as possible, and what better way to become a small hurdle to the Prince of Slytherin?
He wouldn’t be Draco’s main focus due to the fact that Harry was still there to be his main rival. He smiled at Draco’s reddened face as he turned away to the assortment of Slytherin students being led by Head boy and girl to the dorms, he knew where they were but he would play the oblivious boy.
The passage opened as they entered the dungeons and then he felt a tug at his robe sleeve, “Henituse…?” Atticus stood behind him as his face softened. “Yes, it’s good to see you” Atticus preened as he took Cale’s hand, “I know I’m being shameful but-” Slytherin was scary. He could tell, Atticus was nervous to be in a house notorious for dark wizards.
That was perfectly fine, it's good to be cautious and he had every right to feel that way. However, he knows that he will find his place whether that be by his side or one he made on his own. “No need I understand” Cale turned to continue walking as he held Atticus’ hand, he didn’t turn back to look at Atticus but if he did he would see the boy smiling gleefully as other first years starred in envy or skepticism.
The dorm looked cold but it was actually quite warm, “Welcome to Slytherin house! Here in our house, we value your resourcefulness more than anything, not your connections, or family. But I won’t lie they help” the Head girl was giving to them straight out the gate, how refreshing.
They introduced their system of points and the hierarchy, Cale would compare it to the nobility at home but he pushed those thoughts for now. Snape then comes out of nowhere and introduces himself as the Head of Slytherin, they are assigned dorms and Cale caught Snape’s eye for a second before the man just stares at him for a moment.
Snape comes up to Cale with his same old scowl that was probably his neutral face, “Your hair color is quite unnatural Mr. Henituse.” Cale couldn’t deny it his hair was unnatural in this world so he would get some looks. “You’re right, but that’s just how it is. Do you doubt me, professor?”
Snape glared at Cale as he pulled his wand out carefully, “Do you mind if I test that?” Cale smiles, “Of course Professor.” Snape mumbles a spell under his breath and nothing happens. He swiftly put it away and turned away from Cale, “You may leave to your dorm Mr. Henituse.” Cale smirked as he politely replied, “Of course Professor.”
Cale turns to Atticus who stands behind him, “Good night Atticus” Atticus takes it as a dismissal and he lets go of Cale’s robe and bows his head. “Yes, goodnight Henituse” Atticus strides away from Cale who then feels himself being pawed at his pants. “Meow!” Raon looked up at him as he took Raon into his arms, “Raon go make sure Choi han is settling alright won’t you? Just stay with him for the night” Cale whispered under his breath.
“Got it weak human! The strong Choi han will be a good bed for a creature such as I!” Raon nodded and he got away with one nuzzle into Cale’s cheek and a kitten kiss as he ran off, Cale only chuckled as he went to his dorm. He was greeted by Draco, Blaise Zabini, and Theodore Nott, he ignored them as he went over to his bed where 2 trunks with gold plating and expensive leather lay untouched by the foot of his bed.
He opened one of the trunks with his wand and took out some sleepwear as well as a towel for the showers. It was quick but enough time to make sure he was clean and got to his bed. He didn’t bother to say good night or acknowledge their existence, not yet it was too late in the night for pleasantries.
“Ah, Henituse-” Draco attempted to but Cale cut him off swiftly, he was too tired to be enthusiastically polite or even put on his masks of deceit so he kept walking. “Apologies doll, it's quite late, let's talk at breakfast tomorrow to continue this. Okay?” Cale tried to be moderately polite, Cale didn’t bother to look at Draco’s blushing face.
Cale lay in bed as the last few things he heard as the ancient powers murmured into his ears not to get his attention but to just talk. It was nice, having white noise to accompany the emptiness of the large dorm that seemingly sucked all the noise out of the room. He drifted off to sleep in peace as the wind elementals hummed in his ears.
In the morning he woke up to soft sheets and bedding, thought he wished he could have the ones he had at home but that would be too selfish of him. He got out of bed, searched through his trunk with his clothes, and got out a white dress shirt with an opening in the back, a cardigan to cover, his jade earrings, and the same brooch he wore yesterday.
Cale slipped his earrings on and as soon as they settled they rang like bells, the small flower bells jade clinked together as voices filled his ears. His shoulders relaxed as they washed over him like light rain, however, he would say they were loud as all hell. It was too early for them to be shouting at 5:42 AM.
Look at you getting ready for school!
That uniform looks so cute on you!
You look respectable
Oo hurry up go at get going you have a long day ahead of you
The brooch compliments your earrings.
Chaos, destruction! Cale good morning! When will we dance again!?
Calm yourself
Cale sighed at the presence of the wind elementals, even if it was a relief to hear their voices the first time it was getting annoying how loud they were. Maybe he should have put the earrings in the box and carried them around instead of wearing them. However, that could lead to someone trying to steal them or notice the change. “Quiet down, I have a job for you to do.”
Oh, oh, oh! Tell us! Tell us!
What is it do you need us to do?
Chaos, Destruction! Yes tell us, tell us!
Will we be dancing again!?
Come on spill it already Cale!
Shut up he’s going to, relax
No, you shut up!
The wind elementals gleefully chattered in anticipation, Cale sighed at their bickering and put on his dress shirt the opening letting a chill run down his spine as he grimaced at the cold. He quickly put on his cardigan, “Monitor the blonde I met at the tables and the trio that we met on the train, anything that you deem useful to get a closer relationship or rumors surrounding them. And then report back to me at sundown.”
Got it Cale!
We won’t even let a murmur get passed us!
Chaos, destruction! YES!
If we want to find that trio and the blonde we need to split up…
I’ll go alone.
Are you sure!?
If not who else? I don’t trust you guys enough to be alone and I know I can’t stop you. So I rather be oblivious
Chaos, destruction! Fine we’ll have our fun!
Cale ignored the headache coming and he headed to the great hall something caught his eye outside, it was Choi han running around doing his swordsmanship. He opened the window and leaned out the window as he watched for a moment before he decided that Choi han should get some food with him. Choi han shouldn't ignore his health.
“Choi han!” Cale shouted and Choi han immediately looked around and found where Cale was, he waved back. “Good morning human!” Cale nodded andhe headed over and Cale traveled down to the stairs to meet up with Choi han. “Raon get our times tables with me and Choi han’s schedules from the greasy-haired man and the older woman with her hair up in a bun and goes by Minerva or McGonagall.”
“Got it human! I’ll get those times whatever tables!” Raon when Choi han had noticed Cale went up to him and when he met up with Choi han he said, “Good morning, I hope yesterday wasn’t too unpleasant” Cale smiled at Choi han to comfort him, Cale aware there was a slim chance they would be together but a little part of him hoped not.
However, that was a thing of the past and now he needed to make sure there weren’t any casualties. “Ah yes, Cale-nim… they were eccentric about being transfers and mostly my relationship with you…” Choi han seemed to glare at the suggestion that they judged him for his relationship with Cale.
“That was expected. The two houses we were sorted into have been rivals for generations, and my house is perceived as evil so it is no surprise” Cale said nonchalantly almost sounding tired because he was. It was going to be tiring to reform the idea of Slytherins being evil from the minds of youth that have been poisoned with that idea.
Choi han saw Cale nervous for himself and obviously uncomfortable with him being perceived as evil, it must have a great toll on him. Choi han’s determination to stay by Cale’s side and support him in this mission to lessen the toll on Cale the most he can. He will need to train more to strengthen himself.
“Cale-nim I would like to stay by your side.” Choi han may have pledged his loyalty to Cale but that was for the mission, this is social power. Choi han knew he wasn’t useful in the aspect of politics but he could be his muscle if he needed it. Cale interpreted Choi han’s proclamation as going to lunch with him, “Don’t ask such obvious questions. Besides we don’t have to go to the great hall for breakfast so we will head to the kitchen”
Choi han lit up as he took Cale’s hand and let him lead him down the stairs of the castle to the basement. Cale wondered if they could use the kitchen but the house elves probably wouldn’t like that, he could probably ask them to try a few Korean recipes just to appease Choi han’s taste buds (and his own).
They reached a hall where the fruit painting hung in front of them, Cale reached up and tickled the pear and the painting opened to reveal the opening. “Come on” Cale called back to Choi han who caught up quickly. “What is yous doin’ here?” a house elf appeared behind them and Cale pulled Choi han’s hand to turn his attention to him.
“We came to eat, you elves are the chefs of the kitchen, yes?” Cale asked politely, “Yes us elvies do run these kitchens, now why yous here?” Cale smiles, “Could we have our breakfast here? It’s kinda scary being transfer students in a new school” Cale put on the mask of a nervous student about a new school and a ‘please help me face’.
The house elf squinted at the pair of them and sighed seemingly giving up, “Yous can what dis yous want?” Cale beamed as he dragged Choi han to one of the tables and they stood around before the elf said, “Sit, sit” Cale nodded and they took a seat. “What’s your name…?” Choi han hesitantly asked.
The elf perked their ears as they looked up at Choi han, “Names is Nissi” Choi han nodded, “Thank you for serving us Nissi” Cale was glad he got used to their presence even if they did look different from the elves their used to. A set of utensils and plates were in front of them, “Thank you” Cale thanked them as Choi han followed suit, “Thank you Nissi”
“No thanks yous now, eat” Nissi snapped her fingers as food filled their plates in a small display, “Choi han tell me about how your evening went, I’m sure you have some concerns” Choi han grimaced and sighed. “Well… when I first came they were welcoming and asked me about you, Cale-nim.” Cale knew there was more but before he could finish his thought Raon jumped on the table with two papers in his mouth.
“I got your schedules weak human and strong Choi han!” Raon dropped them as he meowed loudly as he went over to curl in Cale’s lap, he must have missed Cale a little bit. “And what kind of questions were they Choi han?” Cale dug deeper and he could tell that Choi han was leaving something out being so vague and looking uncomfortable.
If Choi han continued to deny he would be dropping the topic if it bothered him so much, “They insulted you… I didn’t engage since I knew you wouldn’t want me to fight children but they were calling you… names.” Cale used all his willpower not to laugh. It sounded like Choi han was tattletaling on mean kids who bullied his friend (read: Cale).
It was endearing even if Choi han was referring to himself and didn’t feel threatened by kids being mean little kids, “I understand, thank you. You did well Choi han” Cale smiled as he praised Choi han, he was glad that his vicious protagonist learned to be cautious and tame in his responses to negativity.
He nodded to himself as he was unaware of how gleeful Choi han was preening at the praise. “Cale-nim how was your time in your uh… dorm? House? I can not remember…” Choi han tried to lighten the mood with his own question but then faltered at the wording due to the fact he couldn’t remember the exact name.
“It’s fine Choi han no need to fret over memorization, my dormmates were fine. Do you remember the children we rode in the boat with? Jesse, Atticus?” Choi han gave a smile smile at the reassurance and nodded when Cale asked his question. “Yes, what about them?” Cale gave a lax smile, “Atticus is in the same house as me, and I’m pretty sure Jesse is in the same dorm as you”
Choi han blinked in surprise as he seemed to remember, “Yes he is” Choi han then tilted his head, “Is there a reason you mentioned them, Cale-nim?” Cale smiles, “While you are in that house I want you to look after him” Cale knows that the boy might fit right in but his hope is for the boy to include Choi han in the house dynamic while giving Choi han an order to follow.
Choi han sighed in defeat at Cale’s kind heart, it must feel worried about the boy and maybe even see Hong in the boy. Maybe that is why he was him to look after the boy, Choi han wouldn’t blame him, Cale has always had a weak heart. Cale was unaware of Choi han’s thought process and thought maybe he didn’t want to do it.
“If you don’t want to do it it's fine-” Cale tried to retract his motion since Choi han looked bothered but was interrupted by Choi han, “No. No, I’m fine- it’s fine Cale-nim. I will do it I promise to look after the boy for you” Cale was confused. It wasn’t really for him it was more trying to get Choi han acquaintances in a way and he wouldn’t do it if was in his position.
“Alright if you really want to do it…” Cale slightly prodded Choi han’s motives but he simply nodded and stayed firm in his decision which Cale had no complaints about. “Is time for yous to goes to class!” Nissi snapped and the plates of the empty plates disappeared she swatted at them to get up and they did politely, “Thank you Miss Nissi” Raon jumped out of his lap as Cale smiled politely and bowed his head.
“Yes thank you, Nissi” Choi han bowed as he snatched up the times tables and they walked out of the kitchens once they got to the stairs Raon jumped on Choi han’s shoulder as the stairs seemingly lined up perfectly for them. Choi han then hands Cale’s times table, “What do you have first Cale-nim?” Cale looked down on his times table and smiled.
“Care of Magical Creatures, and you Choi han?” Cale turned to Choi han who squinted and leaned over to Cale’s times table, “The same?” Cale leans over Choi han’s times table as he remembers that Choi han can’t read English, “I’ll write you’re timetable in Korean as we go so you won’t be confused, for now we have relatively the same schedule for today so I will guide you” Choi han’s face softened and smiled softly.
“Thank you Cale-nim” Cale nodded as he took Choi han’s hand and led them to the ground floor and went outside to where Hagrid’s class would be. Some students gathered but seeing how it was only a few minutes into the 15-minute passing period until 8 am.
A gathering of Slytherin and Gryffindor students slowly came together as Cale and Choi han placed themselves in the split between the two houses. Finally, their dear protagonists and small antagonists came and snarled at each other like animals. Draco eyes Cale as he notices Choi han hanging close and sneers at them before smirking.
“What’s with the mutt Henituse?” Draco said maliciously as Pansy giggled but Cale gave a stoic expression as he looked down on Draco, Raon hissed at Draco. “He has been in servitude to me since we were young. For the last few years. Of course we are close to the other, Draco.” Cale with Dominating aura being used just a bit to be intimidating as Cale stepped closer and Draco twitched in what Cale interpreted as fear.
Why was his face flushing? Cale ignored it for now as he felt Choi han also lean down releasing some of his sword aura that swirled around him, flicking in irritation. Cale then turned his glare on Choi han which had less heat than when he faced Draco, “I don’t need your interjection, it’s not like we’re in a fight. Just a roommate squabble, nothing more.” Cale turned around as he said.
“Besides Hagrid has a class to teach, I would never play the role of the fool.” Cale knew it was a backhanded insult to Draco but he didn’t know that. Finally, Hagrid came out and welcomed them, “C’mon now, get a move on! Got a real treat for yeh. Great lesson comin’ up, follow me!” Choi han smiled at the man. Maybe it was his bright personality that made Choi han smile.
Cale would make sure they get to talk for a bit later, they then made it to a clearing near the forbidden forest. “Gather ‘round, find yerself a spot” Cale and Choi han stood together as Cale took out his book that opened without struggle and purred in his hands. Raon seemingly glared at the book in jealousy but also curiosity.
Choi han’s book whimpered in his hands at the sword aura that dared it to snap at its owner and see the consequences, “That’s it, now firs’ thing yeh’ll want ter do is open yer book-” Hagrid attempted to give instructions but was interrupted by a rude interjection of Draco who decided instead of bothering Cale, Hagrid was the next best victim.
“And exactly how do we do that?” Draco had his hands on his sides and tilted his head, “Crikey, didn’ yeh know? All yeh’ve got ter do is stroke ‘em, look- ah! Look theh’ve got et!” Hagrid beamed at the pair of opposing houses that had their books wide open. “Oh it’s quite easy Hagrid but seeing how they are slightly aggressive some are… cautious of the books which is understandable don’t blame them for irrational thinking.”
Cale smiled softly at Hagrid which seemed to make Hagrid sigh in relief at some sort of explanation, Hagrid took Hermione's copy as a demonstration. It snaps the Spellotape binding it and as it begins to bite, Hagrid calmly runs a forefinger down the book's spine and it shivers and turns into a relieved sigh.
It then falls quietly open, Hagrid glances at the class where his eyes meet the foreign pair who smile which reassures him slightly. “Thank you for the demonstration for those who don’t know” Choi han said quietly and glanced up and Hagrid nodded in relief, “Ah righ’ then we need magical creatures! I’ll go and get ‘em!” Hagrid ran back leaving the group for a short moment.
Draco scoffs, “God, this place is going to the dogs. Wait until my father hears Dumbledore’s got this oaf teaching classes.” Harry who was close enough to stare at Draco was about to say something to defend their beloved teacher. However, Draco’s attention came over to Cale and Choi han.
“You Henituse. Why didn’t you tell everyone else other than your guard dog how to open the book when I asked?” he asked like he was demanding something. Cale barely held back from twitching but he calmed himself and sighed, “Well, Malfoy. I naturally assumed it was common knowledge at Hogwarts, I was taught how to open magically sentient books and other items. Were you not taught how Malfoy…?”
Cale ended with a sly remark with was subtle enough and Hagrid came out with a Hippogriff with it, “Gee up, there! Beau’iful isn’ he?” the rest stared warily as Hagrid coaxed the beast to the center of the clearing. Cale wasn’t as cautious of the beast as others would be, all he needed to do was bow and or be respectful. That’s surprisingly all he needed to do.
“Hagrid, exactly what is that?” Ron asked putting himself a good distance away from the Hippogriff, “A Hippogriff, o' course. Now, firs' thing yeh gotta know is they're proud. Easily offended Hippogriffs are. Don't never insult one, 'cause it migh' be the las' thing yeh do. Right then, who wants ter come an' say hello?”
The entire class stepped back leaving Harry, Choi han, and Cale in the front. Cale honestly forgot how Harry was the one who rode on the hippogriff and therefore forgot this part, he took Choi han’s hand and dragged him to the group leaving Harry on his own. “Hey, Cale- Choi han- wait!” that was all Harry could say before Hagrid called him out to him, “Good man Harry!”
Harry sighed quietly under his breath as he approached cautiously the pair of beast and man. “Tha's it. Easy now... stop!” Harry abruptly stopped in place as he glanced at Hagrid for some sort of instruction from the man, “This here's Buckbeak, Harry. Yeh want ter let him make the firs' move. It's polite, see? Jus' take step forward, give 'im a bow, and if Buckbeak bows back, yeh're allowed ter touch him. Ready?”
Even if he wanted to oppose the instructions he knew Hagrid was the expert here so he complied. He stepped forward towards Buckbeak and bowed his whole back which unbalanced him and made him come up clumsily. Buckbeak’s head cocks and studies Harry like he was challenging him but maybe it was just Cale who say it like that.
Harry waits in place before Hagrid calls out, “Back off, Harry! Back off!” Harry startled and stepped back and Buckbeak ducked his beak giving abow in respect to Harry. Hagrid and Harry sigh in relief more so Harry, “Well done Harry! Go on, give ‘im a pat” Harry hesitantly reaches out his hand and lays his hand on Buckbeak’s beak.
At a moment's notice, everyone starts clapping for some reason and Cale politely claps and gives a smile as Choi han mimics his actions. Harry looks back at the clapping class and smiles at the positive attention, “Look at that! I reckon he migh’ let yeh ride him!” Harry at Hagrid’s words his smile almost drops but simply wavers.
“Excuse me?” Harry turns his head to Hagrid trying to communicate that he does not want to continue this direction in conversation which Cale finds amusing. He couldn’t help but chuckle at Harry’s disbelieving face that prayed what Hagrid said was a joke instead of an offer.
Harry probably couldn’t say no to Hagrid unless he breaks the man’s heart, “We’ll jus’ set yeh behind the wing joint, mind yeh don’ pull any feathers out. He won’ like that” Hagrid goes over to Harry and lifts him in the air as Harry shouts, “Hey- hey- Hagrid- wait! Please-!” Hagrid drops Harry onto Buckbeak’s back with Harry stammering anything to get off.
Unfortunately, Harry did not have such luck. Harry while still trying to get his ground Hagrid slaps Buckbeak’s hindquarters and takes off into the sky leaving probably Harry with little time to get situated and braced for impact. “Off yeh go!” Buckbeak while in the sky Harry slides scarily back almost slipping off before taking a big chuck on Buckbeak’s main into his hand to hold on.
The pair’s shadow races across the grass below and flies overhead the class leaving them in awe, “They remind me of the wyvern bones with the flame dwarf tribe in the battle of the empire…” Choi han leaned down to say it in Cale’s ear and he nodded. It did remind him of the bone wyverns flying overhead, their shadows coating the battlefield and wings covering the sky.
Cale glances to where Cale can see Harry over the lake where the squid briefly surfaces the lake and stares at him. It felt like it started at him at least but maybe he was mistaken, he didn’t really want to think about the implications of that. Not yet, let that be a late night spiraling away from the prying eyes of children as young as 14.
Hagrid whistles for them to come back and they dive down to the clearing as Harry slides off and stumbles a little off Buckbeak's back. He has to slide his slipping glasses back to his nose and before he even reaches the class cheers in excitement all except Draco. Harry now given to chance to push up his glasses as he looks around, “Good work Harry!” Hagrid says but Harry’s attention is somewhere else.
He was still looking around. For something, for someone, he catches his eyes on Cale and Choi han. Choi han stiffens as he steps in front of Cale but Cale nudges Choi han away and glares. Choi han winces and he distinctly looks like a pouting puppy, “Stop doing that, I’m not going to falter at stare. I’m not that weak am I?” Choi han only thought for a second before he opened his mouth.
“But Cale-nim when we first met Eru-” Cale blandly stares at Choi han prompting him to stop, “That was different, he wasn’t human” Choi han winces and nods, “Sorry Cale-nim…” Cale sighed, “It’s fine” Cale knew Choi han was protective but not this protective.
Cale stepped up and went to Harry who had slowly stepped closer, “I apologize for Choi han’s behavior, he’s quite protective of me for reasons. Even so, I apologize” Harry seemed surprised and blinked before flushing slightly and smiling, “Oh it's alright I understand” Harry scratched the back of his neck and smiled.
Cale smiled softly as he took Harry’s hand, “You truly as kind as they come” a little buttering up never hurt anybody. Cale was gonna scam this damn protagonist for all his worth. Harry flushed even more at the compliment as he looked away, Draco pushed past the two of them roughly and strides towards Buckbeak, “Give me a go at the thing. If Potter can do it, it must be easy. You’re not dangerous at all, are you? You great ugly brute-”
Cale then remembers the incident, Draco was going to get hurt and the beast was going to get executed for being a beast. Cale couldn’t stand there and let that happen, that would mean letting a child get hurt for petty reasons. No child deserves to get hurt even if they are mean little bastards. So he reacted like he always did.