The hearing chamber inside the Ministry of Magic was smaller than the grand court used by the full Wizengamot. This one was quieter—private, but no less imposing. Dark stone walls enclosed a wide circular space, and torches flickered in steady rhythm, casting long shadows onto the polished floor.
Caelum stood in the center of the circle.
His hospital robes had been replaced with a set of plain black wizarding attire, freshly pressed but loose on his frame. He looked pale—frailer than usual—but he held himself upright. Even the short walk from the Floo to the chamber had drained him, and a faint sheen of sweat glistened at his temples.
To his right stood Amelia Bones, arms crossed tightly over her chest. On his left, robed in deep blue and silver, stood Albus Dumbledore—calm, serene, and quietly radiating presence. He hadn't spoken since they arrived, but his eyes never left Caelum.
Seated before them on the raised dais were five members of the Wizengamot Oath Review Sub-Committee, led by the ever-unimpressed Tiberius Rowle, whose eyebrows had been knitted in suspicion since Caelum entered.
Also present were Kingsley Shacklebolt—here as the ministry's official witness—and Alastor Moody, who stood off to the side like a stormcloud, arms folded and one magical eye spinning lazily as he scanned the room.
"Let it be noted for the record that today is the twenty-seventh of July, nineteen-ninety."
The murmuring in the chamber stilled.
"Caelum Sanguine," intoned the central witch of the dais, her voice echoing faintly, "you are here to affirm an Oath of Magical Conduct, as deemed necessary by the Ministry of Magic's Interim Security Measures for High-Risk Magical Individuals."
Caelum's voice was steady. "Yes, ma'am."
"You do so willingly?"
"I do."
Rowle scoffed faintly. "We'll see if he means it."
Amelia's fingers twitched at her side. Dumbledore, standing tall and still, said nothing, but Caelum could feel the quiet weight of his presence.
The witch gestured toward the golden basin floating beside her. A pale-blue flame shimmered above it, dancing like mist in sunlight. The room dimmed as all eyes turned toward it.
"You are to swear," she continued, "that your magic shall not be used to cause harm without just cause. That you will not pursue vengeance or act outside the bounds of law. And that if you find yourself in danger of losing control, you will report immediately to an approved authority—your guardian, your headmaster, or the Auror Office. Do you understand these terms?"
Caelum gave a single nod. "I understand."
"do you also understand that Upon the vow being completed, if the one who accepted the terms broke any of the terms the consequences of breaking the vow int totality will result in death, unless however. There exists circumstances in which the vow could go unfulfilled,
Again, caelum answer "I understand"
She went on, her tone turning colder. "Do you also understand that upon the vow's completion, should the one who accepts its terms break them in their entirety, the consequence will be death—unless, however, circumstances exist that render the vow unfulfillable?"
Again, Caelum answered, "I understand."
"You may now speak your oath."
…
The flame flared slightly as Caelum stepped forward. His hand hovered above it, uncertain for a breath. Then he closed his eyes and spoke.
"I, Caelum Sanguine, swear on my magic and my life," he began, his voice echoing softly through the stone, "that I will not raise my wand in violence without just cause. I will not seek vengeance, nor act beyond the law. And if I lose myself—if I am no longer in control—I will turn to those I trust, before harm can come to others."
He placed his hand in the flame.
It did not burn.
The blue fire turned white.
Then it folded inward—collapsing silently—and vanished.
Silence followed.
The witch on the dais nodded once. "The oath is accepted. The vow is sealed."
Rowle looked like he'd bitten something sour but said nothing.
Moody broke the tension with a grunt. "Let's hope we don't have to test it anytime soon."
Kingsley turned to Caelum, offering a small smile. "You did well, kid. It means something that you said it of your own will."
Caelum gave him a nod, then looked up at Dumbledore.
The Headmaster's eyes were warm behind his half-moon glasses. "A vow made freely," he said softly, "is one that carries not only power… but honor."
As the hearing concluded and the room slowly emptied, Amelia leaned closer to Caelum. "Are you alright?"
Caelum let out a quiet breath. "Tired," he admitted. "But alright."
Dumbledore placed a gentle hand on the boy's shoulder. "We'll return to St. Mungo's now. You've done all that was asked of you."
Caelum looked up at him. "Do you really think this will make things better?"
"I believe it is a beginning," Dumbledore replied. "And you are still very young. Beginnings are what matter most at your age."
They turned to leave.
As they stepped through the tall doors, Moody muttered behind them, "Third time I end up filing a report on this kid, I'm retiring."
Caelum glanced over his shoulder and smiled faintly. "Let's hope there won't be a third time, sir."