Opening the gift, Kai Adler stared at the pair of wool socks inside the box, a faintly puzzled expression on his face.
"…Wool socks?"
He looked genuinely confused.
Was this supposed to mean something?
Was Professor Dumbledore—the greatest wizard alive—so stingy?
Seeing his expression, Hermione smiled knowingly.
"I'm not sure what wool socks mean in Nurmengard or where you grew up, but here in Britain… they symbolize family affection," she explained, her voice soft and warm.
Her eyes curved into crescents as she added, "It seems Professor Dumbledore truly sees you as one of his own."
Kai's lips twitched slightly, as if he wanted to scoff—but he said nothing. Instead, he carefully folded the socks and tucked them into his pocket.
Hermione smiled again, but this time she didn't say a word. His actions said enough.
Kai looked at the pile of colorfully wrapped boxes still waiting beneath the tree and sighed lightly.
"…You open them," he said, rubbing his temples. "I'll finish breakfast."
"Are you sure?" Hermione asked, hesitating. "Opening presents is the best part of Christmas. Don't you want to—"
"We don't stand on ceremony," he replied with a small smile. "Go ahead."
Hermione's lips curved upward. The phrase—don't stand on ceremony—warmed her heart more than she expected. She happily settled in and began sorting through the stack of gifts.
Each time she opened one, she called out to the kitchen.
"Harry sent a bag of chocolate frogs and pumpkin pasties."
From inside, Kai responded matter-of-factly, "Alright."
"Ron sent the same thing. Honestly, not very original."
"Noted."
"…Draco Malfoy actually sent you a gift? Did the sun rise in the west?!"
"…That's odd."
Their exchange echoed gently through the house—simple, mundane, but full of quiet warmth. It brought a small, amused smile to Mrs. Granger's face as she tidied up the living room. She glanced between the two young people, then at her husband. For a brief second, she saw a glimpse of their younger selves reflected in them.
She shook her head fondly. They're still young, she thought. No need to think about such things yet.
But the light, cheerful air didn't last.
Hermione suddenly stopped. Her expression shifted. She looked at one box for a long moment—her brow furrowed, eyes narrowing. Slowly, she turned the gift over, double-checked the name, then silently got up and walked to the kitchen.
She leaned casually against the doorframe—but her posture was far from relaxed.
At that moment, Kai was commanding the kitchen with practiced ease.
A dozen white, freshly wrapped steamed rolls floated into a charmed steamer one by one. The lid clamped down on its own, the heat kindling beneath it automatically. The scent of freshly kneaded dough and herbs lingered in the air.
He turned, drying his hands, only to see Hermione watching him with an unreadable expression.
"…What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Hermione replied lightly—but her narrowed eyes told a different story.
"I just opened a rather special gift."
"Mine or yours?"
Hermione gave him a look.
"Yours, of course."
She held up a small, elegantly wrapped box and read the name written on the tag.
"Selene Victoria. That's who sent it."
Her voice lingered—particularly on the she.
Kai blinked. The name rang some kind of bell.
"Do I know her?"
Hermione crossed her arms, giving him a side-eye. "How would I know? But it's definitely not a man who would send this."
"What is it?" he asked, honestly puzzled.
Hermione walked over and handed him the box. "Open it. There's a letter too—I didn't read it."
Kai took the box and inspected it. Inside was a black velvet case, and atop it sat an envelope.
Still looking bemused, he unfolded the letter and read it quickly. Recognition lit in his eyes.
"…Oh."
Hermione raised a brow. "So you do know her?"
"Yes," Kai said slowly, recalling the memory.
A leather-clad woman with pale skin, striking curves, and icy blue eyes.
During his search for the second entrance to the Chamber of Secrets in the Forbidden Forest, he had saved a female vampire from a pack of rogue werewolves. She had given her name then—Selene Victoria.
But…
His brow furrowed slightly.
How did she know to send a gift here?
He had kept the Grangers' home private.
Did she investigate him?
Suppressing that thought for now, he opened the velvet case.
Inside was an elegant men's brooch, shaped like a black mandrake flower. The edges of the petals were inlaid with what looked like crystal, reflecting a faint blue shimmer in the morning light.
It was subtle, but exquisitely crafted.
Kai turned the brooch over in his fingers, admiring it with visible appreciation.
Then—
"Hmph."
A deliberate, icy snort echoed behind him.
Kai looked up to see Hermione glaring at him—an intense mixture of childish jealousy and sharp judgment.
"…So? Now you remember her?"
Kai gave her a brief explanation, telling her how he had saved Selene from werewolves in the Forbidden Forest.
Hermione listened, arms folded, expression unreadable.
Vampires? Werewolves?
Born in a Muggle household, her only understanding of such beings had come from books and films. Even now, the idea of them as real was hard to grasp.
"…What do vampires look like?" she asked quietly, curiosity momentarily taking over.
Kai thought of Selene's striking figure, tight leather suit, and glacial beauty—and without thinking, replied,
"Very… pretty."
Hermione's eyes flicked to the brooch.
Pretty, huh?
What kind of "pretty" needs to send a man jewelry?
The irritation that had dulled with curiosity returned in full force.
"She sent you a brooch," Hermione said coolly, pointing at the box.
Kai blinked. "What's wrong with a brooch?"
He sounded genuinely confused.
Hermione stared at him for a long moment. And then—just like that—the annoyance deflated. She gave a small, quiet sigh.
He really didn't know.
Of course he didn't.
The man hadn't even known the significance of wool socks.
He was hopelessly intelligent when it came to spellwork, dueling, history, obscure magic—but absolutely clueless when it came to social nuance.
She puffed out her cheeks, half-annoyed, half-defeated.
A brooch, after all, was typically worn over the heart.
A woman giving a man one was, traditionally, a silent gesture of affection.
And this oblivious idiot had just admired it in front of her.
Flushed with embarrassment and frustration, Hermione spun on her heel and stormed out of the kitchen.
Kai stared after her, holding the brooch in one hand and the empty box in the other, utterly lost.
"…What did I say?"