After that day, two more people knew the secret of the Chamber of Secrets.
Kai Adler couldn't do anything about it—he certainly couldn't silence the Weasley twins in front of Hermione, much less do anything drastic.
Fortunately, once they learned this was a place Headmaster Dumbledore had authorized for the study of advanced Black Magic, their enthusiasm disappeared immediately.
They were playful by nature. The moment they heard "study," especially in a dark underground chamber like this, they fled like frightened squirrels.
Kai didn't pursue the matter. At his firm insistence, the twins entered a magically binding contract not to reveal the Chamber's location to anyone.
He simply wanted peace and quiet.
More importantly, from them he learned the origin of the Marauder's Map.
They had stolen it from the drawer of their "grumpy old dorm supervisor" Filch. It had likely been confiscated years ago from a student.
So—Prongs, Moony, Wormtail, and Padfoot. Were these nicknames? All signs pointed to them being former Hogwarts students.
And judging from the irreverent tone and craftsmanship, most likely Gryffindors.
But based on the map's worn edges and faded ink, it had to be at least a decade old.
Where could he even find them now?
"What are you thinking about?"
He turned his head to see Hermione's inquisitive little face appearing in his field of vision.
Kai smiled.
"Just thinking about what to do during the holidays."
Across from them, Harry let out a sigh.
"I'm stuck in the attic again. Back at the Dursleys'. As always."
The others glanced at him sympathetically. Ron patted his shoulder in quiet solidarity.
They were sitting in the Great Hall, waiting for the final dinner of the semester.
Kai's first school year at Hogwarts was drawing to a close.
In the past few months, his life had settled into a calm rhythm—attending classes, spending long hours in the library with Hermione, practicing spells both light and dark, and occasionally being dragged into mischief by Harry and Ron.
Simple. Peaceful. Almost ordinary.
Only the Obscurus reminded him that he wasn't entirely free. Once a month, the familiar pain would rise, and he would vanish as usual—isolated until it passed.
"Speaking of which," Ginny piped up, her bright red hair glowing under the hall's chandeliers, "how did everyone do on exams?"
The four students had very different reactions.
Ron looked vaguely ill, clearly unhappy with his results.
Harry shot Kai a mischievous glance, while Hermione huffed and turned away with a dramatic flick of her curls.
Kai only looked helpless.
Ginny blinked, confused.
"What's wrong with Hermione? Did she not get good marks?"
Harry shook his head, chuckling.
"She was top of the year."
"As expected," Ginny nodded. "Then… why is she sulking?"
Harry's grin widened.
"Because Kai came second."
Ginny tilted her head. "Isn't that still great? Why are they both upset, then?"
Harry leaned in like he was sharing a secret.
"Kai's grades were too perfect. And that's the problem."
Ginny's eyes widened. "He cheated?!"
"Of course not," Harry laughed. "It's just… he got exactly one point less than Hermione in every single subject."
Ron added dryly from the side, "The two of them are ridiculous."
He shoved another forkful of food into his mouth and pretended not to care.
Ginny still looked baffled.
"If it was just one subject, fine," Harry continued. "But every single one? It's obvious he did it on purpose so Hermione could stay first."
"…That's… that's actually kind of amazing," Ginny murmured, looking over at Kai, who was now trying to gently coax Hermione out of her annoyance.
Harry shrugged.
"She didn't speak to him for a whole day. Said it was an insult to her effort."
"She's that competitive?" Ginny asked, surprised.
Harry nodded. "More than you know."
"Still…" Ginny frowned. "One day isn't that long. I ignore Ron for a whole week when he hides my diary."
"Oi?" Ron looked up, cheeks stuffed. "What did I do now?"
Harry smirked.
"For them, one day is an eternity."
Ginny turned to watch again. Kai, usually cool and composed, was now whispering softly, while Hermione, arms crossed and cheeks puffed, tried to look indifferent.
But her lips were twitching.
There was an unmistakable warmth between them. Ginny's expression softened.
"…I see."
She quietly glanced at the boy beside her.
Unfortunately, Harry the blockhead was too engrossed in their banter to notice.
Over at their table, Kai leaned in a little closer.
"I've already promised," he murmured. "I'll do my best next year. So please stop being angry, alright?"
"Hmph."
Hermione glanced at him from the corner of her eye, then looked away again.
But the corner of her mouth was curving upward, ever so slightly.
Kai sighed. Her little acts of stubbornness were cute. And he didn't mind playing along.
In truth, the dance between them—one teasing, one coaxing—was something he'd come to enjoy.
After a moment, Hermione gave him a mischievous look.
"Alright, then promise me one thing."
"A hundred things, if you want."
"That's more like it~"
Her sweet smile made his heart skip a beat.
If she asked him to duel the Headmaster right now, he might not even hesitate.
"From now until the start of the next term," she said, poking his chest, "you must follow my orders. Unconditionally."
Kai chuckled. "I already do."
Hermione snorted softly.
"As if. You still sneak off and do all kinds of things behind my back."
She poked his lips with her fingertip.
"This mouth of yours is more dangerous than your Black Magic."
Kai froze.
Her touch was light and cool, but it sent a ripple straight into his chest, like the surface of a still lake being disturbed by the wind.
His dark eyes softened—warm and intense all at once.
Hermione blinked, then found herself drawn in.
His gaze shimmered faintly, almost glowing with unspoken emotion, and for a moment she felt like she could fall into it.
She didn't quite understand what she was feeling. Only that it was comforting, safe—like curling up in a blanket before a fire.
Clink, clink—
The sound of glass clinking startled them both.
They turned away at the same moment, cheeks flushed.
Hermione's heart beat wildly in her chest, thumping so loudly she thought the others might hear.
Kai looked toward the high table and met Dumbledore's gaze.
The Headmaster raised a glass toward him, eyes sparkling with amusement.
You saw that, didn't you?
Kai rolled his eyes.
Yes, Old Man. I get it. You don't have to say a word.
It's still early.