Only a week had passed since the Chamber of Secrets incident, and during this time, Lucius Malfoy had received no word from his son.
He hadn't dared to reach out either—his guilty conscience weighed heavily on him.
What Lucius didn't know was that, ever since Draco had been saved by Harry Potter in the Chamber, a quiet, uncomfortable gratitude had taken root in the boy's heart—toward his supposed enemy.
Because of this, Draco had refused to cooperate with his father's internal sabotage, and the plan to force Headmaster Dumbledore into resignation had completely collapsed.
Now, due to this discrepancy in information, Lucius found himself cornered.
Facing Kai Adler's half-smile, Lucius broke out in a cold sweat.
He knew exactly what black notebook the boy referred to. It was a cursed object—an artifact Voldemort had left in Malfoy Manor years ago, linked to the opening of the Chamber of Secrets.
Lucius's original plan had been to slip the diary to the youngest Weasley girl during the summer in Diagon Alley. That would cause chaos at Hogwarts and, with luck, discredit the Weasley family as well—killing two birds with one stone.
But he hadn't accounted for this boy—this damnable Kai Adler—intercepting it.
Panicking, Lucius had handed the diary to Draco instead, instructing him to pass it along anonymously within the school.
The Chamber had indeed been opened. Dumbledore had been forced to step away for a time. But if it was now revealed that Draco had been the one to bring the cursed diary into Hogwarts…
That would be ruinous.
Lucius's silver hair clung damply to his temples, and a trembling hand brushed an errant strand away. Cold sweat beaded on his pale brow as he forced himself back into his seat, desperately trying to preserve some semblance of composure.
"Don't speak nonsense," he snapped. "As far as I've heard, the true instigator behind the Chamber of Secrets debacle was that bumbling fool Lockhart."
Kai's lips curled into a smile. "It seems Mr. Malfoy is very well-informed. Indeed, Lockhart was implicated."
He tilted his head, resting his temple lightly on one hand. His calm, clear gaze pinned Lucius in place, making the elder wizard feel as if he were completely exposed—stripped of all pretense.
"But as for that cursed diary… I seem to recall seeing it before." He tapped his temple, pretending to search his memory. "Strange. It looks rather… familiar."
Of course you've seen it, Lucius thought bitterly. If I hadn't tossed it back into the open that day in Diagon Alley, you wouldn't be sitting here now with your hands wrapped around my throat, boy.
Kai crossed his legs with quiet elegance and leaned forward. Despite his age, the boy's presence completely dwarfed Lucius's own. It was suffocating.
"Mr. Malfoy," he said softly, "are you still claiming that, because I used a Portkey once held by the Rosier family, I must be linked to Grindelwald?"
Lucius's stomach dropped. He was certain now—absolutely certain—that this infernal boy knew. He knew the diary came from the Malfoy household.
Worse, Fudge's expression behind him had shifted—less trusting, more calculating.
Lucius's early allegiance to Voldemort had been "forgiven" only due to his claim of being under the Imperius Curse, and because of an enormous donation to the Ministry that conveniently closed the case.
It was a delicate balance—one based entirely on silence and selective amnesia.
If this boy forced the matter into the public eye again, the Ministry would have no choice but to use him as a sacrificial pawn to save face.
He knew how the Ministry worked—especially Fudge.
They were bloodsucking parasites. If vampires could take lessons in greed, they would study them.
Years of his careful political maneuvering would be undone in a heartbeat. And the Malfoy name… reduced to ash.
Lucius's heart pounded with fear as he studied the boy in front of him. Was he even human? How could someone the same age as Draco possess such poise, such ruthlessness?
Or was this Dumbledore's doing?
He flicked his gaze briefly to the Headmaster, seated like a quiet thundercloud behind his desk.
Perhaps it was no coincidence. Perhaps Dumbledore had groomed this boy specifically for such a confrontation.
He couldn't risk pushing the Grindelwald angle any further.
With a forced smile, Lucius softened his voice. "It appears… this was a misunderstanding. Please, don't take it to heart. Naturally, when a student arrives via a Portkey tied to a family once loyal to a Dark Lord, the Ministry must be… cautious. Surely Professor Dumbledore understands our concern for the safety of the wizarding world."
Kai and Dumbledore raised their brows in unison.
After storming into Hogwarts with accusations and threats, Lucius now wanted to end it with a polite apology?
Still, both men understood: digging deeper into each other's histories would benefit no one.
Dumbledore's past with Grindelwald… Kai's origin in Nurmengard… none of it would survive the political storm if exposed.
But before Kai could speak, Lucius pressed forward again—this time with a venom-laced smile.
"However," he added, "there's still the matter of Mr. Adler's magic. It's… unusual. Would either of you care to explain why such a young wizard exudes such dark power?"
Kai's patience was thinning.
This man was like a mosquito—insufferable, persistent, and impossible to swat in polite company.
A flash of irritation surged through him. If Fudge weren't present, he would've considered demonstrating a Dark curse on the man.
Sensing the tension in Kai, Dumbledore gave him a subtle glance. Steady.
"Mr. Malfoy is mistaken," Dumbledore said mildly. "Kai Adler is only a second-year student. Dark Magic, though powerful, is extraordinarily complex and well beyond the capabilities of someone his age."
"To label him a Dark wizard is not only unfair—it's absurd."
Lucius sneered. "And yet… the magic I felt in Diagon Alley was real. So, forgive me if I take the peace of our world seriously. For that reason, I've asked Minister Fudge to bring a small item from the Department of Mysteries."
Fudge, though clearly unhappy with being used as an errand boy, reached into his robes and produced a small, polished white stone.
"This is a Magistein," he said. "An artifact from the Old World. When infused with magic, it reveals the caster's magical affinity. Light… or Dark."
He placed it gently on the coffee table between them.
"I, of course, trust Professor Dumbledore would never allow a true Dark wizard to enter Hogwarts," he said smoothly, "especially among such innocent and lovely students."
He looked pointedly at Kai. "So, if you please, Mr. Adler…"
Kai studied the stone. A chill crept up his spine. Ancient magic had a way of seeing what modern spells could not.
He had spent weeks refining the Dark energy within him, using the Patronus Charm as a purifying anchor. But still… would this stone expose him?
If it did, the consequences would be catastrophic—not just for him, but for Dumbledore.
His eyes flickered.
Expecto Patronum…
An idea sparked in his mind.
Confidence returned to his expression. He leaned back with composed ease.
"No need to trouble the Department of Mysteries' relics, Minister. I can prove I'm not a Dark wizard in my own way."
The word "Minister" was spoken with perfect courtesy.
Fudge blinked, visibly warming. Kai was the only person in the room to address him properly.
Lucius glared. Traitor.
Fudge, meanwhile, ignored him entirely.
"Well?" Fudge asked, intrigued. "How do you intend to prove it?"
Kai opened his mouth—but then something stirred.
A faint magical pulse brushed the edges of everyone's awareness.
The four in the room turned simultaneously to the tall window.
Outside, a soft silvery light flickered.
A translucent dolphin—glimmering with ethereal magic—floated just outside, swimming through the air with gentle, curious motions. It nudged the glass with its snout, trying to draw their attention.
"A… Patronus?" Fudge murmured in disbelief. "At this level?"
Lucius looked stunned. "Who—?"
Dumbledore turned toward Kai.
And Kai, for the first time in the entire meeting, smiled genuinely.
Warmth bloomed in his eyes as he looked toward the dolphin. His heart lightened.
She understood.
Far above, from an adjacent tower, Hermione Granger stood with her wand outstretched, her lips pursed in concentration. Light swirled from her wandtip in waves, her dolphin Patronus shining brightly in the midday sun.
She was nervous—but resolute.
For Kai, she thought, I'll do whatever it takes.