That day's History of Magic class turned out to be the most engaging session any of the young wizards had experienced. For once, the students weren't dozing off under Professor Binns' ghostly drone. Instead, they listened with rapt attention and asked question after question about Grindelwald—the infamous Dark Wizard.
To everyone's surprise, Professor Binns responded patiently to each inquiry, elaborating in more depth than he had all year. The classroom was steeped in an unusually strong academic atmosphere, bordering on reverent curiosity.
Even after the bell rang, students were abuzz with conversation.
"Grindelwald must've been terrifying if even Dumbledore hesitated to fight him…"
"But You-Know-Who was worse—he actually came back from the dead!"
Arguments sparked up across the corridors as students—mostly older ones—began comparing Grindelwald and Voldemort in hushed yet animated voices. Who was more powerful? Who was more dangerous?
As Kai Adler walked through the corridor, he was suddenly called out to.
"Kai! Who do you think is stronger—Grindelwald or… 'that person'?"
He turned his head and saw two identical freckled faces looking at him with wide grins: Fred and George Weasley.
Kai raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you two third-years? What are you doing outside our classroom?"
The twins exchanged a glance, clearly unbothered.
"We didn't have class, so we were just… passing by," Fred said innocently.
"Yeah, we saw your lot were having a much livelier History of Magic session than usual," George added with a wink.
Kai noticed them tucking something into their robes—likely prank supplies—but said nothing about it.
"So?" Fred pressed. "What's your take? Come on, give us your expert opinion."
Kai gave them a neutral glance. "I've never met either of them. So how would I know?"
"Tsk. What a boring answer."
A soft scoff came from nearby.
The twins looked over in surprise. "Hermione, what's wrong?"
Hermione folded her arms and glanced away, expression unreadable. "Nothing. Keep chatting."
With an exaggerated toss of her head, she turned and walked off—without waiting for Kai, for the first time ever.
Kai bid the twins a brief farewell and followed after her.
Fred and George exchanged a long look, watching them go.
"They're getting suspiciously close," George murmured.
Fred grinned. "Think we just witnessed a lovers' quarrel?"
"Or foreplay," George added with a smirk.
Meanwhile, Kai caught up in a few strides.
"Why didn't you wait for me?"
Hermione kept walking, her curly hair bouncing with each step. Kai found it hard not to reach out and touch it.
When he did, Hermione immediately jerked away from his hand with an indignant glare. "Salty pig hand," she muttered.
Kai chuckled softly. "So, what's wrong?"
"The old man you're always talking about from your family… it's Grindelwald, isn't it?"
Kai lifted a brow. "And what makes you think that?"
Hermione lifted her hand and began counting off on her fingers.
"First, Professor Binns said Grindelwald was likely German or Austrian. Your accent, even when you speak English, is unmistakably German—far too native to be learned here."
"That's not much to go on," Kai replied. "Could just mean I'm from that region."
"Let me finish," she snapped, scowling.
"Second, Professor Binns mentioned that Grindelwald once sought an Obscurial to use against Dumbledore. That means he had a strong interest in them—and coincidentally…"
She glanced around quickly, checking for eavesdroppers, then leaned close and whispered near Kai's ear:
"You're an Obscurial."
Kai didn't react—though the closeness of her breath on his skin was oddly distracting.
Hermione pulled back quickly, cheeks slightly flushed. "Coincidence?" she challenged.
Kai smiled faintly. "Could be."
"Hmph. There's more!"
She bent a third finger.
"Professor Binns said that Dumbledore and Grindelwald may have had a 'close personal relationship.' If that's true, then it explains why Professor Dumbledore is so protective of you. Why he vouched for you. Why you have more freedom here than any student should."
Kai neither confirmed nor denied it.
Then, quite suddenly, Hermione grabbed his shoulders and shoved him lightly against the stone wall of the corridor.
Startled, Kai let her—more amused than concerned—as she executed a rather clumsy kabedon.
"The most important point," she said, staring directly into his eyes, "is that I've been wondering ever since we met: who taught you? How can someone our age be this powerful already?"
Kai raised a brow, unfazed. "Couldn't I just be a natural-born genius?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Didn't you once say you were taught by an 'old man' since you were a child?"
Kai scratched his nose. "I might have said something like that."
"And if that old man just so happens to be the most dangerous Dark Wizard in modern history, then it would explain everything—the spells, the knowledge, your attitude… even your control over your Obscurus."
Hermione's expression was serious now.
Her logic had gaps, of course. Kai could refute every point if he wanted to.
But he didn't.
He didn't feel the need to lie to her—and it wasn't exactly a secret that could stay hidden forever.
He gave her a faint, amused smile. "Clever. Truly worthy of being called Miss Know-It-All."
Hermione scowled and smacked his hand away again. "Don't call me that. It's a nickname others gave me."
"Alright, Miss Granger."
Kai's smile softened as their eyes met. For a moment, Hermione just stared at him, lost in his gaze. Then she blinked rapidly and turned away, her cheeks reddening slightly.
But just as Kai began to move again, Hermione stepped in front of him, blocking his path.
She looked up at him, expression serious.
"You don't believe in that philosophy, do you? That wizards are superior to Muggles? Like your… teacher?"
Kai raised both hands in mock surrender. "The old man's mellowed out. Probably. And even if he hasn't, Dumbledore—excuse me, Professor Dumbledore—wouldn't have let me within ten miles of this school if I shared those views."
Hermione's face tightened. "You should call him Professor."
Kai gave a helpless shrug.
She studied him closely, her voice quieter now. "You never acted strange when I told you my parents were Muggles. Even back in the Muggle neighborhood where we met… I guess I was overthinking it."
"I don't judge people by bloodlines," Kai said simply. "Only by whether they're annoying."
Hermione laughed despite herself, clearly relieved.
Just then, a startled voice interrupted them.
"What… are you two doing?"
They both turned.
Harry and Ron stood a few feet away, frozen, eyes wide.
Hermione blinked, confused—then noticed the position she and Kai were still in. One hand against the wall. Her face inches from his. Kai leaning back casually as if this were perfectly normal.
To any outside observer, it looked like they were about to kiss.
Worse—it looked like Hermione had initiated it.
She leapt back as if burned, cheeks crimson, and darted off down the hall without another word.
Kai calmly straightened his robes and gave Harry and Ron an expression of mild disinterest.
"What are you two staring at? We've got class."
He strode off without further comment.
The two boys exchanged a long, bewildered look.
"…Are they not even trying to hide it anymore?" Ron muttered.
Harry crossed his arms, eyes narrowed. "When did they ever try?"
Ron nodded slowly. "Fair point."