The Goodbyes

As the train screeched to a halt at King's Cross Station, students began pouring out onto the platform, one by one. Some were standing with their families already waiting eagerly, others scanning the bustling crowd in search of familiar faces. But some, like Cael, quietly made their way out alone, dragging their luggage behind them.

Cael had no parents to greet him—just a bus to catch, back to the orphanage. He said his goodbyes to the Weasley twins first. They'd invited him to The Burrow for the summer, but he hadn't promised anything. If he could manage it, he would send them a letter.

After parting ways with the girls and Lee Jordan, Cael was just about to head for the exit when a flash of gold caught his eye. A woman with shining blonde hair and striking green eyes stood nearby—an adult version of someone he knew too well.

That must be Cassandra's mother, he thought, spotting the man beside her, clearly her father, both scanning the sea of students.

"What are you staring at, standing there like an idiot?"

The sharp voice behind him made him jump. He spun around, his heart skipping a beat. Cassandra stood there with her arms folded, an eyebrow arched in amusement.

Cael let out a breath. "Merlin, you scared me."

"Oh? Finally got to see you flinch," she teased, clearly pleased with herself.

Rolling his eyes, Cael nodded toward her parents. "Go on, your mummy and daddy are waiting for you."

Before she could fire back, he turned, raising a hand over his shoulder in a lazy wave. "Goodbye, Snakelet," he called casually as he walked off.

Cassandra froze, shocked. "Did he just—did he give me a nickname?"

Before she could recover, her mother's amused voice drifted in. "Yes, he did, my little princess."

Her face flushed with embarrassment as both her parents chuckled.

"Who's that boy? Is he your friend? Such a cute little thing," her mother added with a teasing smile.

"He's not cute," Cassandra muttered, crossing her arms tighter, "and he's definitely not my friend. He's just… annoying."

Her mother laughed softly as her father ruffled her hair. "So, how was your first year, princess? And don't dodge the question."

Cassandra sighed. "It wasn't bad. I came second place among the first-years," she added, visibly unsatisfied.

"Second place? That's brilliant," her father praised, beaming. "We'll celebrate when we get home."

Her mother, curious, asked, "Who beat you, then? That boy?"

Cassandra scowled. "Yeah, that's Cael—the one I told you about."

Her parents exchanged knowing glances, amused, as they gathered her things and headed out.

Meanwhile, outside the station, Cael waited with his suitcase trailing behind him, eyes scanning for his bus. His mind wandered—he'd survived his first year at Hogwarts, and somehow, it already felt like home.

The bus pulled up, and Cael boarded, settling into a window seat as the city blurred past.

[System Interface Active]

"First year at Hogwarts complete. How do you feel, Cael?"

He leaned back, arms crossed behind his head, smiling faintly. "It's been a long journey, hasn't it? I've got friends, a school that actually feels like it matters… what more could I ask for?"

"Hmm, next year's going to be… interesting. You know Harry Potter will be coming."

Cael's eyes darkened with curiosity. "Yeah… let's see what kind of boy Harry Potter turns out to be, growing up with James Potter as a father."

The bus ride passed quietly until they neared the familiar streets surrounding the orphanage. But something was off.

The playground was empty. The usual chatter of children was gone. Toys once scattered across the yard had vanished. A creeping sense of unease settled in his stomach.

Dragging his suitcase behind him, Cael approached the front door. As he entered, several men in suits brushed past him, talking in low voices. The hallways were eerily silent.

In the office, Mama Linda sat behind her desk, her expression weary but softening as soon as she saw him.

"Cael… my dear boy." She stood quickly and pulled him into a hug. "How are you? Welcome back."

He returned the embrace before stepping back, concern etched on his face. "What's going on? Where are the kids?"

Linda's expression faltered, sadness seeping in. "Two months ago… government officials came. They ordered us to stop accepting children. The government is setting up new welfare centers for orphans—more controlled, with adoption tracking systems. Too many cases of missing children, they said." Her voice cracked slightly. "They've banned independent orphanages across the UK."

Cael's heart sank. "And… the kids? All four of them?"

Linda shook her head. "No, thankfully, they were adopted before all this. But six new children… they were taken to government welfare centers."

Her husband, Steve, scoffed from the corner. "She waited five months to tell you, and now we're selling this place. Moving to the U.S."

"Shut up, Steve," Linda snapped, but the damage was done.

Steve sneered, "You've got a rich dad, don't you? Go beg him for one of his fancy manors."

Cael's jaw clenched, but his voice stayed calm. "No thanks. I can take care of myself. School starts in two months—I'll figure it out."

Linda reached for him, voice trembling. "You can stay here until then…"

But Steve interrupted, impatient. "We've got to clear this place by next week, buyers are waiting."

Cael took a steady breath. "It's alright, Mama Linda. You don't have to stay because of me. I'll stay with some friends until school starts."

Linda's eyes glistened, but under Steve's pressing words, she reluctantly agreed.

Two days passed quietly. And then the morning came—Linda and Steve's flight to America. Their final goodbyes.

At the front door, Linda pulled him into a tight embrace, her tears soaking into his shirt. "I'm sorry… I hate leaving you alone."

Cael smiled faintly, though his own eyes burned. "It's alright… I'm practically an adult now. I'll figure it out. Thank you… for everything."

Linda wept harder, voice breaking. "Goodbye, my sweet boy… I'll miss you—and all the memories here."

"Goodbye, Mama Linda," Cael whispered, watching as she and Steve climbed into the taxi.

As the car drove away, Cael lifted a hand to wave—and realized his cheeks were wet. His fingers brushed away the tears, but they kept coming.

"Get it together, man," he muttered under his breath, forcing a shaky smile. "It was only six months… don't get all sentimental."

But despite his words, the ache in his chest wouldn't fade, and the empty orphanage loomed behind him, quiet and abandoned.

A new chapter was beginning—one way or another.