Again.
Are you sacrificing yourself?
Cale didn’t move, he didn’t blink, he didn’t speak, he simply reacted. Tree trunks sprouted from the ground shooting from the ground from Cale’s feet, they rushed to cover Draco in an instant but were slashed by the beast who went for another go, “CALE-NIM!” Choi han snapped his head to Cale but then noticed Draco being attacked and reacted to the wood being cut down. “Weak human-! Choi han defend the blonde-haired human!”
Raon yelled in Cale and Choi han’s minds as Cale knelt to the ground and had a coughing fit not getting the blood out and only drops coming out. He felt lightheaded as his heart thumped in his ears as he heard Harry panicking and Raon’s worried chatter, “Weak human you promised me! You- I’ll destroy everything if you die! I’ll destroy the whole castle and destroy everything if you die again!”
Cale winced at Raon’s declarations of destruction that he was very much capable of and though he was wincing at Raon’s words and voice, Harry thought Cale was in even more pain. He tried to get Cale’s cat away but the very little cat that was crying hissed at him and barred his claws. Harry knew better than to try that again so he tried to get Cale to speak or something to keep him conscious.
He could only guess how hard it was to keep conscious in so much pain, even if he had some experiences of his own he doesn’t even know how it happened. All Harry knows is that he coughed blood after using some sort of magic, but it didn’t feel like magic. It didn’t feel the rush of magical power that sometimes simulated wind that felt like a fan in your face.
The sort of aura around Cale was like it was on high mountains that held grand winds that swirled and washed over him. It felt like a natural thing, not something conjured by magic and that was the part that tripped Harry up. Who was Cale Henituse? Why was he such an anomaly? And did he have something to do with Sirius Black? He couldn’t be too careful… could he?
He could spare SOME trust in Cale, right? He seemed trustworthy and they were foreigners anyway he didn’t know the real meaning of Harry’s fame so it’s not like he could use him. He can give Cale the benefit of the doubt for now until he does something suspicious or something.
There was probably a lie somewhere that no one knew. Cale still struggling to cough enough blood for him to stop heaving and gagging tried to look up but Harry didn’t let him, “You shouldn’t do that! What if you choke!?” Harry was trying to ease some pain by rubbing his back or patting him.
Draco fell back as he whimpered and then Choi han summoned his sheathed sword and halted Buckbeak’s movements, they stayed there for what felt like forever but as soon as Choi han heard Cale cough he used his sword aura to scare the beast. It backed off startled at the shadow that felt like darkness and the predatory aura that gave off that felt like a vicious feral beast.
Choi han ran past Draco not even looking at him as he went over to Cale, “Cale-nim!” Cale was swept up in Choi han’s arms leaving Harry without a second thought, “Choi han I’m fine-” Cale coughed into his hand as splatters of dark blood dripped into his hand. Cale reluctantly looked up to see tears threatening to spill from Choi han’s eyes, “I’m sorry, I didn’t think, I just reacted…” Choi han sighed.
“I know, you always do…” Choi han then resigns himself to Cale’s reckless actions, he had never gotten used to his self-sacrificing, and being surrounded by children, even when being dumb kids, did not help that he was compassionate. Choi han can’t turn off or get mad at Cale’s bleeding heart for others, he has to be his rock so he doesn’t overdo it.
Raon caught up to the pair as he jumped up on Choi han climbing up to his shoulders to Cale’s lap where the still crying little cat curled up and dug his face into Cale’s arms. Cale couldn’t just leave him like that and held him but realized too late he had forgotten he had blood on his hands, “Oh sorry for the blood, Raon…” Cale said sorry for getting blood in Raon’s fur, it probably was going to be a pain to get out later.
Raon shook his head in Cale arms and confused him, maybe he should find that one spell that cleans out stains? Would it work on cats though and would it be safe…? Choi han sighed at Cale apologizing for the mess that wasn’t even his fault. Choi han had the feeling he was going to explain how Cale makes him and Raon feel. And the rest of the family feel when he does reckless things but he’ll hold his tongue for now.
Until Cale is well rested and healed, he can’t help but think about how the types of healing in this new world would differ from the Eastern and Western continent’s treatment. He couldn’t help but wonder if it would improve Cale’s health if they used different treatments. He would have to ask later, right now he had to focus on more important things.
Choi han then goes over to Hagrid who had gone to Draco to see if he was hurt, “Sir I would like to take Cale-nim to the med bay but have no idea where it is, please.” Hagrid turns to Choi han Cale where he notices the blood, “Yeh! O’ course! Ah- Draco show em’ were th’ nurses is!”
“Don’t you see I’m hurt you-!” Draco was about to retaliate with a quip but Choi han glared at him, shutting him up quickly. “Don’t I have a choice in the matter? You’re overreacting anyway…” Cale murmured the last comment but Choi han then stared blankly at Cale like he just said something stupid or obvious, “No.” “No weak human!”
“I can take you there!” Harry calls out and Cale glances at him and smiles, still with blood around his mouth. “Ah your uh mouth… blood-” Cale took the hint and wiped the blood only leaving a bit of smearing. Harry still grimaced at the blood, it was kinda worried about not being the one injured but he could now get why everyone looked at him the way they looked at Cale. However, it was different, so much different compared to himself.
“Yeh Harry please!” Hagrid practically pleaded as Cale felt all eyes on him, he sighed and looked up at Choi han, “Fine… it’s not like they can do anything about it anyway…” Cale is pretty sure they would see that he was perfectly fine and actually better if he didn’t cough up some blood.
Choi han sighed in relief and turned to Harry, “Lead the way. Please?” Harry stuttered at the focus and seriousness but nodded, “Right-” Harry was cut off by Draco, “I’m still here! And hurt! I can obviously take you to the nurse I too need to as well!” Cale could tell that all Draco had were a few scrapes and a few bruises here and there.
Draco stood closer to Cale glancing every other second to Cale, maybe he was assessing him. Cale decided to take this chance to be closer to the little shit, at least be civil since they were sleeping in the same dorm. “Thanks for being a doll” Draco turned red and looked away from Cale, “Of course! You're a Slytherin. Now COME, we both need to be checked by Madame Pomfrey.”
Cale liked this character development, he should praise Draco later for being a good prince of his house. Cale nodded to himself as Harry glared at Draco, Harry was suspicious of Draco’s coy nature around Cale. Sure he could understand that Cale was pretty and they were in the same house but he couldn’t help but give him the stink eye.
Draco noticed and straightened himself as he gave the same heated glare at each other. Cale felt Choi han’s grip around him tighten but was careful, Cale patted his head to praise him for carrying him this long. It must be exhausting so he will reward Choi han with his own cooking, what should he make? He’ll have to ask what’s his favorite.
Choi han stepped in front of them both with a serious look on his face and Raon seemed ready to pounce out his lap and onto one of them, “Be my guide or leave.” the two stopped in their tracks as they stared up at Choi han who was getting agitated with the hold-up.
Raon hissed at them and Cale just gave a little glare at Raon that didn’t hold any hostility, annoyance was the most it held as he petted Raon. “Right, this way!” Harry took the lead as Choi han followed close behind him encouraging him to speed up with being so close, Draco followed and speed walked next to Choi han as he looked over to Cale.
“How are you feeling Henituse?” Draco bashfully asked quietly and his tone indicated genuine concern, Cale smiled at the boy as Draco glanced away his face flushing slightly. “I’m doing fine Dragonfly” Cale couldn’t help but tease the boy who practically squirmed in place and flushed even more. Cale chuckled to himself as they entered the hospital wing, “Ah Mr. Potter here for the first accident of the year?” she said almost stoically.
Harry laughed plainly, “Sadly no… our transfer here needs to be checked for his uhh-” Harry actually didn’t know what to ask for her to check, he wasn’t sure where coughing blood would be produced or anything he wasn’t a professional. However, Choi han apparently was and knew exactly what to do and took over for Harry, “Cale-nim coughed blood and needs to be checked for internal bleeding and or bleeding of the lungs…”
Choi han paused before looking down at Cale and wordlessly questioned if that was right, “That’s about it however if you feel obligated then you may check my heart as well” Madame Pomfrey seemed concerned, “How long since the initial symptom?” Madame Pomfrey practically dragged Choi han and Cale to a bed and gestured for him to place Cale on the bed.
Choi han complied and carefully put Cale on the bed with Raon jumping down first to settle on Cale’s chest, “I am not glass Choi han.” Cale was tired of the worry even if teasing Draco was fun, “Cale-nim. You practically are.” Choi han attempted to be firm with Cale but Cale glared at him which made his stern expression waver. Cale scoffed as he was settled on the bed, “About 10 minutes or less ma’am.” Madame Pomfrey sighed, finally getting an answer to her question nodded at the confirmation.
“Right. Now any other injuries for the two of you?” Madame Pomfrey said as she turned to Choi han and Draco, “No ma’am I do not but I think he has a few scratches or bruises” Choi han said it as if it didn’t matter as he wandered by Cale’s side. “Okay let me see them.” Madame Pomfrey firmly said as stared at Draco as if challenging to say no but he soon gave in.
“I have a few scrapes on his knees but that’s all maybe on my hands but that's it.” Draco practically strangled out as he felt his pride being challenged. Madame Pomfrey didn’t see it that way, “I see then sit on the bed while I check on our transfers” Madame Pomfrey exalted as she turned to Cale and Choi han. “Ah no I do not have any injuries, ma’am-” Madame Pomfrey glared at him and he quieted as she took out her wand.
Choi han flinched but Cale took his hand, <She is a healer, don’t give her a problem.> Cale didn’t need Choi han to try and attack anyone so some assurance would quell his anxieties. Choi han glanced at Cale and gave a little nod, <Yes Cale-nim…> Choi han stilled for Madame Pomfrey as she swung her wand around checking their status.
Her brow furrowed as he stared at Cale’s cheek smeared with blood that obviously came from him but then sighed, “Nothing seems to be the matter but just to be sure, do these blood coughing fits frequently with each other or at random?” Choi han turns to Cale as if asking what he should say so Cale takes the lead.
“It happens when I use my ability but due to my… traits I am able to heal from it.” Cale being as vague as possible so as not to give anything away, Cale could play it off as nonverbal magic or maybe his magic being sentient or some sort of excuse. Cale turned away to think but to Madame Pomfrey, she assumed he was a half-breed of some creature or being.
She became curious if her treatments needed to be changed for his biology, “Well then, I ask what ability made this happen? As so we can prevent it in the future” Choi han chimed in against Cale’s will and said. “It was a defense mechanism after the… what was it Cale-nim? Buck?” Cale quietly sighed, “That was part of the creature’s name but it was a hippogriff and my ability… well it was a spur of the moment and so I don’t think I could do it again for a long while.”
Madame Pomfrey nodded, “I see, then I would like you to stay until lunch and then attend the rest of your classes. Mister Malfoy, I will heal your scrapes and you will head to class along with Mister Potter and Mister…” Madame Pomfrey realized she didn’t get a name. Choi han paused for a moment before saying, “Choi ma’am” Madame Pomfrey nodded, “Mister Choi you may stay with Mister Cale.”
Choi han nodded, “Yes I would like that ma’am” Choi han turned to Cale with big doe eyes that begged to be praised for staying by his side and helping Cale. He couldn’t help but sigh at Choi han’s weird behavior before remembering his promise to Choi han this morning.
“Ma’am?” Promfrey turned around and raised her brow, “Yes?” Cale sat up from his bed even Choi han looked at him disappointed, “Weak human! Stop moving you are going to hurt yourself again! And you moved me!” Raon yelled at him for straining himself and moving where he had settled on his lap.
Cale not bothered by their complaints or even Raon’s yelling in his mind stopped him as he continued to ask, “Could I get parchment and a quill? I need to write something.” even with Raon’s complaints he pets Raon who slowly starts to purr. Madame Pomfrey thought for a moment before saying, “Do you severely need it? Could you perhaps get it later after or during lunch?”
Madame Pomfrey questioned him if it was truly important, “No it is not for me but for Choi han, I need to translate his schedule” Cale explained with softened eyes that seemed like he was hesitating which was false and just Cale trying to earn some extra points with Madame Pomfrey.
She stopped in her tracks with potions in her hands and thought about his request. She looked back at him and Cale smiled a little sadly at her, “It’s quite fine if you’re busy I’m sure we’ll have time later! Sorry for bothering you..” Cale decided to kick up his ability record to make a little bloody nose that was only a drip but still made her flinch.
Cale knew it hit the money as Choi han dug through his pockets to find a handkerchief that he knew he had on him to wipe Cale’s nose but Cale took it carefully instead, “Don’t worry these happened a lot nothing bad I’m fine no worries go on” Cale smiled quite pitifully as she sighed in recognition, “I see. Yes, I will once I am done with Mister Malfoy.”
Cale nodded, “Thank you Madame Pomfrey” Now that Cale was done Choi han thought it was the perfect time to try and get Cale to lie down, “Cale-nim please lay down!” Choi han practically begged and Cale sighed. “I will, I will, but it will be a hassle to get back up after I lay down wouldn’t it?” Cale tilts his head to Choi han who seems to want to disagree but sighs, “Yes Cale-nim…” Cale can’t help but smile as he exhales.
Cale raised his hand to his earrings as fiddled with the white jade bells that hung from his ears and he heard the wind elementals finally come to talk with him. They must have been around and kept quiet because he had them follow Draco and the trio or maybe they confused them with someone else but that shouldn’t have happened. That doesn’t make sense.
Cale I am alone for now…
I will return to my duties of following the blonde but I must ask
Are you okay? You are being examined by a healer right?
Cale gave a little nod to the wind elemental, he was glad that only one of them was here to bother him for a short while. Who knows what kind of migraine all of them would have caused if they all decided to check up on him. He gets chills at the thought, “Cale-nim you can go to sleep if you’re tired” Choi han was trying to make sure Cale wasn’t straining himself and from what he could tell he was struggling to be awake.
Choi han thought Cale was having an adrenaline crash and getting tired so he was nodding off but didn’t want to sleep while he did promise Choi han to translate his schedule he didn’t need to push himself for Choi han’s needs or wants. “What the hell are you talking about…?” Cale was genuinely confused he was simply nodding to the wind elemental that came to see him.
I see, I am glad you are looking after yourself
I will go back to my duties
I will gather the others at sundown as you’ve said
Hope you get better
Cale was glad the wind elemental was leaving, “Thank you, Choi han, but I’m fine I can go a little bit longer without a nap or anything” Choi han looked doubtful of Cale and Cale looked at him blandly, “I swear it. Now please put it down it's not that serious Choi han” Cale brushed him off. All Choi han could do was sigh as Madame Pomfrey came up to him with a flat book, parchment, quill, and inkwell.
“Here, now don’t make a ruckus this is the hospital wing of the castle is meant to be quiet. I’ll leave you in privacy.” Madame Pomfrey pulled the curtains around Cale’s bed, “Ma’am that’s not necessary it's not like we will be here long or need it” For Cale that was way too much. He wasn’t even in serious condition, he didn’t need special treatment for doing nothing, all he did was probably bleed on the bedding at most.
Choi han looked sadly at Cale which made him lift a brow in confusion as Choi han said, “Ignore Cale-nim he must be delirious, I will take care of him thank you ma’am” Choi han sounded tired as Raon’s little cat body seemed to sigh in relief. Cale furrowed his brow at Choi han who almost pouted, Cale sighed in resignation as he held out his hand.
Choi han looked at him for a moment in confusion before he had a moment of realization, “Here Cale-nim” Choi han handed his times table to Cale who nodded, “Thank you” Cale quickly wrote Choi han’s schedule for today and monday leaving the other 3 days for the weekend as a learning experience for Choi han.
If he could get Choi han used to reading English during the weekend it could be a smoother transition to understanding without his help in the future. He handed it to Choi han who smiled and looked to read what Cale gave him, “Oh Cale-nim I have Potions class until lunch” Cale nodded, “Yes we have the same for that class and next class too” Choi han blinked as he read his times table.
<Defense against dark magic?> Choi han said questioningly as Cale nodded, “Yes Defense against the dark arts, would you like to experience the great hall instead of the kitchen?” Choi han thought about it for a moment but before he could Raon answered for him, “Yes! Even though I saw it before I want to see it with you, weak human!” Choi han smiled softly at Raon, “My thoughts exactly Raon!”
Cale sighed with a smile, he knew he couldn’t technically avoid the eyes of everyone when it came to periods of eating. Choi han and Raon would catch on quickly and around others with him and they wouldn’t get anything done on their own so, the limelight it is. “I see then, I guess we have our plans” Choi han nodded as he smiled at Cale.
“Yay! When is lunch human! I wanna eat!” Raon cheered in his ears as he glanced at Choi han’s times table on the bed and took it in his hand, “Well lunch starts at 11:45 and the class ends at that time” The very excitable child bounced around the bed as any cat would with high adrenaline would.
“What time is it now human! What is it now? How long!?” Raon jumped around as Cale and Choi han chuckled at Raon’s excitement. “Well let’s see what time it is now?” Cale dug through his robe to find his pocket watch, “9:00 on the dot, looks like we’ll be having to wait for a while” Raon groaned in his mind as his cat form meowed impatiently, “Does that mean we can’t go now…!?” Cale nodded.
“Yes it does, it’s only 2 hours and 45 minutes you can wait for that long can’t you? An almighty dragon can count a measly 2 hours 45 minutes right?” Cale goading the dragon in cat form to wait because he was too good for it was probably the reason Choi han snorted. Cale didn’t even bother to look back as Raon sniffed and pointed his nose up in the air.
“Of course I can! I am a mighty dragon! I can wait… as long as we eat after right weak human?” Raon wandered closer to Cale as he asked his question and Cale sighed with a smile at Raon’s antics, “Yes of course Raon” Cale said as he lifted Raon into his arms and settled there. Cale scratched Raon’s head earning a purring cat on his shoulder trying to get impossibly closer into his arms.
“Cale-nim now that you are done with this” Choi han swiftly took the parchment, quill, inkwell, and the book and placed them on the side table, “Choi han-” he ignored Cale turned away as he looked back at Cale, “Please lay down.” Cale breath hitched as he saw Choi han’s very stoic face that did not seem willing to argue or compromise so he sighed.
“Fine, fine I will…” he exhaled loudly as if in frustration but no heat came from him or even falling down on the pillow in a temper to communicate his frustration. He simply laid down as Raon crawled over him and curled in the nook of his neck and shoulder on Choi han’s side.
Choi han sighed in relief as he smiled, “Cale-nim I will wake you when it is lunch” Cale glanced over to Choi han with a bland look and raised his brow, “Do you know how long it takes to get to the great hall from the hospital wing?” Choi han glanced away before shaking his head and looking at Cale.
“No but I’m sure you do Cale-nim,” Choi han said with a smile, Cale finally relented and took out his pocket watch from his inner robe and put it in Choi han’s hand. “15 minutes before so have enough time to leave and make it there.” Choi han practically beamed in victory as he tucked the pocket watch into his own robe pocket for safekeeping.
Choi han then took Cale's hand, “Rest Cale-nim we will be here when you wake up, now sleep.” Choi han said softly as Cale fluttered his eyes shut and let himself drift into sleep as Raon curled by his neck and Choi han held his hand.