Throughout the walk through Hogwarts, Hermione's thoughts spun relentlessly.
What exactly was the Ministry of Magic using as the foundation to accuse Kai Adler of having ties to Grindelwald?
The more she thought about it, the more it made sense.
At the beginning of the school year, in Diagon Alley, Kai had stood up for her parents against Lucius Malfoy—and in doing so, had unleashed a frightening burst of magical power. At the time, Kai had dismissed it as an accidental surge of uncontrolled magic, but someone as experienced as Lucius would have recognized what it truly was.
It must have been that moment that planted the suspicion in Lucius's mind—suspicions that had now grown into formal accusations.
She connected it further. That day in Hagrid's cabin—Lucius had tried to use the Chamber of Secrets as leverage to remove Dumbledore. That had failed.
Now this.
Worry filled the young girl's chest like ice water.
If they framed Kai as Grindelwald's heir or puppet, and he went down… Professor Dumbledore might be dragged down with him.
Just from a single remark Dumbledore had made, Hermione had already deduced the majority of the plot. It was no wonder others sometimes mocked her as a "Know-It-All." But they didn't understand: Hermione had to know everything—because knowledge was power, and those she cared for were in danger.
There was only one piece she hadn't yet solved.
Why had Dumbledore so openly mentioned Grindelwald's name—the Dark Lord of the previous age—in front of Harry and Ron?
Was it trust?
Did he believe they were mature enough to handle it? Or did he simply not care about concealing it?
Hermione didn't know. And now wasn't the time to ponder it.
She needed to do something.
Even if it amounted to nothing.
Even if it was completely useless.
She couldn't just stand by.
Her eyes lifted to the tower where the Headmaster's office stood, a tall spire overlooking the whole of Hogwarts.
Her gaze shifted slightly, locking onto another tower not far from it.
Without hesitation, she broke into a run.
Before long, Hermione stood atop the high tower, chest heaving, wand drawn.
Silver light poured from the tip as her lips moved silently, her face pale with focus.
She didn't know how Kai had come to Britain. She couldn't defend that.
But she knew the Ministry would test him. They would try to prove he was a Dark wizard.
And that she could help with.
She remembered the image so vividly—etched into her very soul.
Her birthday.
The lake. The whale and the dolphin dancing in the sky.
A memory beautiful enough to make her cry.
Dark wizards can't cast a Patronus. Everyone knew that. It was universal magical law.
Even if Kai had thought of it himself—which he likely had—Hermione wanted to be sure.
Wanted to show him she was near.
With him.
No matter what happened.
The silver dolphin burst from her wand, light pooling around her, casting her determined face in brilliance. It soared toward the Headmaster's tower, a bright shimmer against the darkening sky.
Inside the office, Kai saw it first.
The little dolphin tapping the glass with its snout, playful and persistent.
He knew immediately who had sent it.
Warmth flooded his chest.
Lucius and Fudge stared in confusion, then alarm.
"A Patronus?" Fudge asked, incredulous. "Who—?"
But Dumbledore, watching Kai, already knew.
And Kai… he smiled.
Genuinely. Warmly.
For the first time in the entire conversation.
My girl, he thought.
She had thought of the same thing.
He turned back to the room, expression light, even mischievous.
"Don't panic, gentlemen," he said smoothly. "That's just my…"
He paused deliberately.
"…my girlfriend. Reminding me it's time to go back and keep her company."
Even Dumbledore—usually composed—couldn't help but twitch slightly at that.
Cheeky brat, the Headmaster thought. Already claiming her before anything's even begun?
He didn't know that the bond between those two had already grown deeper than most wizards would ever experience.
Kai straightened slightly. "If you'll excuse me a moment… I'd like to respond."
Lucius's brow furrowed. "Respond?"
From his black robe, Kai drew his wand—an elegant white wand that shimmered subtly under the office light.
He remained seated, wand tilted lazily in his hand.
"Expecto Patronum."
In the next instant, magic erupted from him—pure, powerful, vast.
A tide of silver-white mist surged from his wand, cascading through the room like water breaking from a dam.
Fudge and Lucius both staggered back as the mist gathered, then lifted.
A deep, resonating hum shook the room—like the song of a whale echoing through the ocean.
Then the white-blue whale surged into form, rising from the mist like a guardian of the deep.
Massive, majestic.
Its fins trailing ribbons of light, it leapt toward the window.
Lucius flinched, throwing his arms over his head in panic.
Dumbledore flicked a finger, and the window opened silently.
The Patronus whale soared into the night sky.
Outside, the dolphin darted forward, nuzzling its enormous companion. The whale responded with a soft, slow motion—pressing its massive head gently against the dolphin's beak.
On the tower, Hermione's eyes welled.
Her Patronus shimmered under the starlight.
And in the Headmaster's office, Kai's lips curved upward into a smile both gentle and reverent.
In the next breath, the warmth vanished. The smile turned polite. Cold.
He turned back to his accusers, now visibly shaken.
"Apologies for the delay," he said softly. "Now then… where were we?"
He tilted his head.
"I believe we were discussing whether or not I'm a Dark wizard?"
Fudge blinked as if awoken from a spell. In that moment, the man displayed his greatest talent:
Brazen political survival.
"Of course not!" Fudge declared. "This was clearly a misunderstanding!"
He forced a jovial chuckle. "I merely heard rumors that Professor Dumbledore had taken in an exceptional student—one who skipped straight to second year and serves as an assistant in Defence Against the Dark Arts. I thought I'd pay a personal visit!"
He beamed at Kai, all false charm.
"And now that I've seen you, Mr. Adler, I must say—you exceed every expectation!"
Kai offered a faint smile. "Is that so?"
"Absolutely!" Fudge exclaimed. He even took a step back—distancing himself from Lucius.
"I must say, a Patronus of that magnitude at your age is… unprecedented. Truly extraordinary."
He turned toward Lucius.
"How could anyone accuse such a prodigy of being a Dark wizard, hmm?"
Dumbledore and Kai exchanged looks—faintly amused.
Unbelievable, Kai thought. The man changes sides faster than a Seeker chases a Snitch.
But he held his tongue.
There was no need to push further.
The goal had been achieved. Fudge had been awed. Lucius had been humiliated.
And Hermione… had stood by him.
All of it, a quiet triumph.
Fudge, meanwhile, was silently cursing Lucius.
This is what you meant by a sure thing? If he's a Dark wizard, I'm Merlin reincarnated!
Kai Adler was a prodigy. A monster of talent.
And if he didn't die young, he'd eclipse every wizard of their time—maybe even Dumbledore.
And under Dumbledore's protection?
Impossible to touch.
He needed to salvage this relationship—fast.
A sudden spark flashed in his eyes.
"Mr. Adler," he said brightly. "In light of your talents and accomplishments, I, as Minister of Magic, believe you are more than deserving of the Order of Merlin, Third Class."
Kai raised an eyebrow and glanced at Dumbledore, who gave a small, knowing nod.
So now he's offering medals.
Lockhart had one too, didn't he?
The thought made Kai smile coldly.
How cheap the honour had become.
Still, when the Minister of Magic extends an olive branch, it would be unwise to slap it away.
This was politics.
This was survival.
Dumbledore smiled. "Then allow me to thank the Minister for his recognition on Mr. Adler's behalf."
Fudge beamed. "There's no need for thanks, Headmaster! Britain is fortunate to have a young wizard like him."
Straightening his cloak, he added, "I'll return soon with the official medal and certificate."
Neither Kai nor Dumbledore moved to escort him out.
Fudge hesitated briefly, then smiled with practiced ease.
"No need to trouble yourselves. I'll see myself out."
"Farewell, Minister," Dumbledore said gently.
Fudge nodded once more and turned to go, not even glancing at Lucius Malfoy—who still sat frozen, a statue of failure and humiliation.