As expected, Harry Potter once again became the center of attention at Hogwarts.
But unlike the fear and suspicion surrounding the Chamber of Secrets incident, this time, the students gazed at him with admiration and awe.
A pureblood Dark wizarding family had been wiped out—and rumor had it, that same family had been involved in the kidnapping of young witches and wizards.
In everyone's eyes, this wasn't some frightening mystery—it was a heroic act.
Sure, it seemed far-fetched for a second-year student to accomplish something like that, but this was the wizarding world.
And Harry Potter had survived the Killing Curse as a baby and defeated Voldemort. Who knew what power he might be hiding?
At the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall, Harry sat awkwardly amidst all the attention, both baffled and secretly pleased.
Meanwhile, the other three had very different reactions.
Hermione, who knew the truth, looked unimpressed. She reached under the table and jabbed her elbow into Kai Adler's side, fixing him with a glare.
What were you thinking, letting Harry take the credit?!
Kai, feigning innocence, shook his head and mouthed silently: Not me.
Hermione narrowed her eyes.
Really?
Kai looked at her adorable expression and felt a mischievous urge rise.
I really want to pat her head.
But she glared harder, raised a finger warningly.
Don't you dare!
Kai shrugged with a helpless grin.
Across the table, Ron watched the intense silent exchange between the two and glanced sideways at Harry, who was soaking up the praise. A deep sigh escaped him.
Among the four of them: Hermione had already been awarded the Order of Merlin, Third Class. Harry was now considered a secret hero.
And then there was him. Ron Weasley. No title. No glory. Just… Ron.
Well, there was also Kai…
He glanced at the handsome boy across from him and gave him a look of sympathy.
But then Kai looked up and gave him a knowing smile.
"You'll be a great wizard too, Ron."
The comment startled the other two, who looked at Ron in surprise.
Ron, however, immediately understood what Kai was referring to: the black magic book from the Chamber of Secrets, still hidden in his trunk.
He'd been wavering about whether or not to study it.
But Harry's newfound fame, paired with Kai's unexpected words of encouragement, tipped the scales.
They're all growing stronger. Why shouldn't I?
Ron's expression hardened with resolve.
Kai's eyes glinted with quiet amusement.
He had been curious for some time about how black magic might affect a young wizard.
There weren't many test cases, and Ron was perfect—kind-hearted, loyal, and morally grounded. Even if influenced, he was unlikely to turn against Harry or Hermione.
And with Kai keeping watch, he wouldn't go too far astray.
But Hermione could never know.
If she found out he was experimenting on one of her friends, she might cut ties with him on the spot.
Just then—
Clang, clang, clang!
The familiar sound of goblet tapping echoed through the Great Hall as Dumbledore stood at the podium, his gaze sweeping over the students.
When his eyes landed on Kai, there was a subtle look of helplessness.
That prank of his—letting everyone believe Harry was the one who destroyed the Ivo family—had caused no small amount of confusion.
Still, Dumbledore had no intention of clearing things up.
It was just a rumor, after all. If Harry couldn't handle a little gossip, how could he bear the weight of the prophecy?
So, after welcoming everyone back, the Headmaster reminded them of the final exams in June, to collective groans—save for Hermione, of course.
She looked positively eager.
And so ended the first meal back at Hogwarts.
Later, back in the Gryffindor common room, Harry was immediately swarmed by younger students all peppering him with questions.
They wanted to know everything about the destruction of the Ivo Family.
Although Harry was flattered by the attention, he still tried to set the record straight: he hadn't done anything. He had stayed at Hogwarts the whole time.
With Harry busy deflecting praise, Hermione finally seized her chance and dragged Kai by the sleeve all the way to his dorm room.
As boys couldn't enter the girls' dormitories, but girls could go into the boys', it was the only option.
She closed the door behind her.
"All right, what's going on? Wasn't you the one who dealt with the Ivo Family?"
Kai sighed. "Must you say it like I went on a murderous rampage?"
"Well, didn't you?"
He rolled his eyes and sat down next to her on the bed.
"That night, I listened to you and spared them. No killing—just Obliviate to erase their memories."
"And?"
"The family patriarch… must've gotten confused. Maybe I made too strong an impression, because he told the Aurors that Harry did it."
Hermione gave him a strange look.
"What exactly did you do to make such a strong impression?"
Kai shrugged. "Possibly burned down his ancestral home."
Hermione blinked. "Oh."
Well, they had kidnapped children.
So Kai's actions were… justice. Yes. Punishing evil.
Her logic flipped without hesitation.
"But that still doesn't explain how he mistook you for Harry. You don't exactly look alike."
Kai gave her a sly grin. "Maybe it's because… I'm too handsome?"
"Braggart~"
Hermione swatted his shoulder, laughing.
"So, you're saying you think Harry is handsome?"
"He's not bad. Still not as good as me."
They laughed together.
Hermione didn't press further. She trusted Kai. He never lied to her—not about things that mattered.
If he was hiding something, it meant the time wasn't right. When it was, he'd tell her.
"I'll stop grilling you for now," she said with a smile. "How about the Chamber of Secrets later? I didn't get a chance to practice much magic at home."
"You and Harry go ahead. I have something to discuss with the Headmaster."
Saying this, Kai pulled a sleek, square box from his suitcase.
"Oh? Is this the mysterious project you've been working on?"
He gave a modest nod. "I didn't want to show you in case it failed. I'd hate to embarrass myself."
Hermione's eyes sparkled with amusement.
"So even the great Kai Adler has insecurities."
"New fields are always full of uncertainty."
"Well? What is it?"
"If all goes well… you'll find out tomorrow."
Before Hermione could press further, he vanished with a soft pop, leaving her sitting on his bed in a mix of curiosity and admiration.
Kai reappeared directly in the Headmaster's office, startling every portrait lining the walls.
"It's you again, boy!" barked an irritable portrait with a sharply pointed beard. "Headmasters these days… letting students Apparate within the school!"
Kai ignored the grumbling portrait of Phineas Nigellus Black and turned to another.
"Madam Dilys, I've come to see Professor Dumbledore."
The kind-looking witch smiled at him. "He isn't here just now. You may wait."
"Thank you."
Kai bowed politely to each portrait in turn—skipping only Phineas, which earned him an exaggerated scoff—and made his way over to the phoenix on the golden perch.
Fawkes gave him a dignified nod in greeting.
Then Kai began browsing the books on the shelves, nibbling on a biscuit from the Headmaster's desk.
He paused when he spotted an unfinished letter resting there.
Just a glance was enough.
Dumbledore was looking for a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.