Dumbledore tapped his cup gently to draw everyone's attention.
"I know you are all eagerly anticipating the holidays and don't want to listen to this old man ramble."
He chuckled warmly, and the young wizards in the Great Hall laughed along.
"However, before the holidays begin, Mr. Fudge, the Minister of Magic, wishes to make an announcement to you all."
Kai Adler now realized why Fudge had suddenly appeared at Hogwarts at this time.
A few months ago, the Minister had said in the Headmaster's office that he intended to award Kai the Order of Merlin, Third Class. At the time, Kai had thought it was just polite flattery—empty words meant to please him and Dumbledore.
After all, no news had come since then, so he hadn't taken it seriously.
Now that Fudge had unexpectedly shown up, it was no pleasant surprise, but rather a shock.
Because of one rather incompetent man, Kai did not hold a good impression of this so-called Order of Merlin.
He simply wanted to attend school quietly and perhaps grow a little.
He absolutely did not want to be thrust into the spotlight.
Of course, the important figure on the stage was unaware of Kai's private disdain.
Dumbledore gave a brief introductory speech, then stepped back to yield the floor to Fudge.
Cornelius Fudge, with his crooked blond hair barely visible under a dark green bowler hat, looked amiable.
He straightened his suit, adjusted his red tie, and nodded cordially to Dumbledore.
When he began to speak, it was with the practiced formality of an official.
"I am Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Minister of Magic for Britain. It is a great honour to be here at Hogwarts today. Seeing all of you young wizards, it feels as though I am witnessing the future of the wizarding world—something that fills me with great satisfaction…"
The young wizards applauded politely.
Ron noticed one of his older brothers, Percy—Dumbledore's prefect—clapping vigorously, his face flushed red, complementing his fiery hair.
He couldn't help but roll his eyes.
"Percy dreams of working at the Ministry. If he weren't my brother, I'd suspect Fudge was his father."
Harry chuckled, and Hermione and Kai smiled quietly.
"But why did the Minister of Magic suddenly come to Hogwarts? There hasn't been a tradition of officials speaking at the end of term before."
Harry didn't know much about wizarding politics and didn't press further.
Hermione, however, glanced at Kai, who smiled faintly without speaking.
She had a feeling that Fudge's arrival was related to him once again.
Fudge continued with his lengthy, tedious speech.
Except for Percy, who listened with keen interest, the other young wizards found their eyelids growing heavy.
Dumbledore, clearly tired of the drawn-out officialese, cleared his throat, silently reminding Fudge to get to the point.
Fudge paused awkwardly, but quickly recovered his politician's composure.
"What I wish to say is this: a few months ago, I had a cordial and friendly meeting here at Hogwarts with Headmaster Dumbledore."
Kai lowered his head and pinched the bridge of his nose, hiding a faint mocking smile at the phrase cordial and friendly.
What a cordial and friendly meeting, indeed.
"During that meeting, I unexpectedly discovered a young wizard of exceptional talent and extraordinary ability."
"At such a young age, he was able to easily master the Expecto Patronum spell—a spell many adult wizards have yet to master—and even summoned a full Patronus."
The younger students looked puzzled.
Older students and those from magical families were stunned, whispering excitedly.
Even the professors exchanged glances.
As teachers, they understood the true difficulty of the Expecto Patronum spell.
They scanned the older students sitting at the long tables—surely someone in sixth year must have performed it?
Among the professors, only Snape's sharp gaze fell on the pale boy sitting quietly at the Gryffindor table.
He remembered the Patronus spell from before—the powerful surge the whole school had felt—and the faintly familiar magical signature.
Could it be… this boy?
Hermione immediately looked at Kai.
Unlike the others' stunned reactions, she was certain Fudge was referring to him.
After all, she had been there.
She nudged Kai's side and whispered softly so only he could hear, "It was you, wasn't it?"
Kai met Hermione's eyes with a knowing smile.
The familiar sparkle told her he was up to some mischief again.
He shook his head slightly, raised an eyebrow, and sent a subtle magical pulse toward Dumbledore.
Surprise flickered in the old wizard's eyes.
He looked at Kai.
Kai nodded in return.
A smile also flickered in Dumbledore's eyes.
He stopped the endless speech full of praise for this young wizard.
Leaning close, Dumbledore whispered something in Fudge's ear.
Fudge faltered. "But… I…"
He glanced instinctively at Kai, who sat composed, eyes cool and slightly intimidating.
Fudge swallowed hard, looked at the speech in his hands, and seemed troubled.
Dumbledore whispered once more.
Fudge looked at Kai again and, hesitantly, continued.
"I, Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic, hereby bestow the Order of Merlin, Third Class, upon this young wizard, who at such a young age has mastered difficult spells, serves as a model for his peers, and achieved excellent academic results."
The crowd murmured in astonishment again.
The Order of Merlin was one of the highest honours a wizard could receive.
To be awarded it while still at school was nearly unprecedented—and a sign of an extraordinary future.
"This young wizard is…"
Fudge looked toward Kai again, lips moving as he read aloud the name.
"From Gryffindor House… Hermione Granger!"
Instantly, all eyes turned to the bewildered young girl.
A mixture of awe, admiration, doubt, and envy flickered in the gazes around her.
Hermione's hair prickled, and her mouth opened slightly, mind blank.
Harry and Ron were equally shocked.
They looked at Hermione in disbelief.
"You're… amazing!"
After a moment's daze, their faces lit up with pride.
She was their best friend.
There was no doubt Hermione was the top student among the young wizards.
Even in the school's history, no one had matched her grades in their year.
But Harry still stole a glance at Kai.
He had thought the award would be his.
Though Kai rarely showed off his magical power around them, Harry had noticed subtle signs that the boy, with his usual gentle smile, was truly extraordinary.
Hermione finally snapped out of her daze, fixing her suspicious eyes on Kai.
Kai met her gaze easily.
You're behind this, aren't you?
Her adorable frown made Kai resist the urge to pinch her cheek.
His eyes shone with encouragement.
"Go accept it first. We'll talk when you get back."