The three-week Christmas holiday flew by in a flash, and the Granger couple had quickly grown accustomed to life in a spacious manor with a house-elf serving them daily.
On the morning they were set to return to Hogwarts, just as the Grangers were preparing to head to the train station, Sebastian appeared once again at the manor gates—this time with a letter from Ciel.
After reading it, Kai Adler asked Hermione and her parents to wait and walked a little way off to speak privately with the ever-composed butler.
"So… the Ivo Family was destroyed for nothing?"
The letter's message was brief: in the past few days, more children had gone missing.
That meant the Ivo Family wasn't the only group involved in the kidnappings.
From Sebastian's tone, it was clear: to Kai, the Ivo Family had seemed like the culprits. Ciel had simply focused on that family first—most likely because the group who attacked Hermione belonged to them. That, in turn, made Kai feel indebted.
After their destruction, Ciel had shifted his attention to pursuing other groups.
With a flick of his fingers, the letter disintegrated into ash.
"So what's he want from me now? This doesn't seem like it concerns me anymore," Kai said. "Or is the Count planning to cash in that favor?"
Sebastian offered a polite smile and shook his head. "The Young Master merely wishes to consult you. You are free to refuse."
Kai narrowed his eyes. "Is this about the group of werewolves who broke into the Forbidden Forest?"
"Precisely."
"Didn't you already talk to Selene?"
Sebastian's smile remained perfectly courteous.
"We cannot fully verify whether Miss Selene is telling the truth. And given her… species, our usual methods of verification are not exactly viable."
Kai gave a small nod, understanding.
"At least four werewolves broke into the Forest. Judging by their accents, they were American. They carried silver bullets meant for vampires and anti-magic rounds for wizards—standard equipment for people who knew exactly what they were hunting. They were better outfitted than the Ivo Family, that's for sure."
Sebastian's brow twitched faintly. "Silver bullets are standard, yes. But anti-magic bullets—those are rare, and highly dangerous."
He bowed slightly. "Thank you, Mr. Adler. This is valuable information."
Kai tilted his head curiously. "With your abilities, shouldn't this kind of information be easy to come by?"
Sebastian's expression didn't change, but a hint of amusement flickered in his eyes. "I am merely the sword and shield of the Young Master. I act only on his orders."
"And if your master goes astray?" Kai asked.
Sebastian didn't respond. He simply bowed again—and vanished.
Kai stared at the empty spot for a moment, then chuckled softly to himself.
Rather than a servant, he's more like a predator—watching his prey step willingly into his jaws.
So this is what it means to make a deal with a demon.
When he returned to the Grangers, Hermione shot him a worried look.
"What did the butler want this time? He didn't ask you to do something dangerous, did he?"
Kai shook his head. "Nothing important. Just a few questions."
She looked like she wanted to ask more, but he tapped her gently on the forehead. "Let's go, or we'll miss the train."
"Hmph. It's not like you need a train," she muttered, but obediently turned.
After all, she couldn't exactly Apparate around the school without causing a scene.
At Platform 9¾, the Granger couple came along to see them off as usual—but this time, there was an extra guest.
Dobby, dressed in a newly tailored butler's uniform, followed closely behind, his large green eyes filled with wonder as he took in the busy station.
It was the first time he had walked freely through the wizarding world. Clean, well-dressed, and hands-free—Dobby looked nothing like most house-elves.
The stares he drew only made him puff his chest out further.
Dobby is a free elf now!
Kai smiled as he glanced down at the little elf.
Just before they boarded the train, Kai knelt down.
"When I'm not home, I'm counting on you to protect Uncle and Aunt Granger. Can you do that?"
A cold, resentful gaze suddenly swept across the platform. Kai turned to see Lucius Malfoy standing by the train with Draco. Bandages wrapped part of his face, and though he tried to maintain composure, the expression in his eyes when he spotted Kai was unmistakably venomous.
Kai simply smiled back—warm, relaxed, almost taunting.
Lucius could do nothing but silently seethe.
Meanwhile, Dobby lifted a small hand and waved at his former master with exaggerated cheer.
Lucius's face turned a distinct shade of green.
Dobby giggled and turned back, patting Kai's side with a fist no larger than a walnut.
"Don't worry, Mr. Kai. Dobby will protect them with his life!"
"You don't need to risk your life," Kai said with a gentle smile. "If anything serious happens, take them straight to Hogwarts. The manor and all our things can be replaced. You can't."
Tears welled up in Dobby's big eyes.
"Don't cry," Kai warned, sighing.
Dobby stood stiffly at attention, trying not to sniffle.
Then Hermione, ever prepared, offered him a soft handkerchief.
"Here. Use this."
Dobby stared at it, overcome. He bowed deeply, then accepted it with trembling hands.
Looking at the Grangers—kind, warm, accepting—he made up his mind then and there.
He would risk everything for this family.
After saying goodbye, Kai pulled Hermione along into an empty compartment on the train.
Back at Hogwarts, Harry and Ron were lounging in the common room. Ron seemed to be pestering Harry again.
"I'm serious, mate. You swear you didn't do it?"
Harry rolled his eyes so hard they nearly disappeared into his head. "Ron. We've been together this whole break. Do you really think I snuck out and singlehandedly obliterated a family of dark wizards?"
Ron scratched his head, unconvinced. "Well… maybe?"
"Ask Madam Pomfrey if she's got a potion for brain rot," Harry muttered.
At that moment, Kai and Hermione walked in.
"How was Christmas?" Harry asked.
"Pretty decent," Kai replied, casually sipping from a cup of conjured tea. "Hermione's parents got used to living in a manor. Even Dobby got a promotion."
"My dad didn't win the Prophet's lottery—again," Ron grumbled.
Hermione asked curiously, "What were you two talking about when we walked in?"
Ron leaned in conspiratorially. "Something big happened over the holidays. One of those old dark magic families—wiped out. Boom. Gone. Rumor is, the survivor said…"
He turned and gave Harry a pointed look.
"…that Harry did it."
Both Kai and Hermione froze. Then, in perfect sync, they turned to look at Harry.
"Really?"
Kai's mouth twitched.
A very familiar sharp pain shot through his waist—Hermione had just pinched him.
Hard.