The morning light spilled gently into the room, casting soft rays over a furry lump curled up on the bed.
Hearing faint movement, the furry lump stirred slightly, revealing a sleepy, confused little face.
"It's still early, you can sleep a bit longer."
The familiar male voice carried a teasing warmth.
At his words, the little face quickly disappeared back under the quilt, followed by a muffled, sleepy hum.
"Mmm~"
But just a moment later, Hermione abruptly sat up, her brown hair a tangled mess, and wide, startled eyes staring at the young man standing by the bed.
Seeing her dazed little look, Kai Adler couldn't help but lean down and flick her nose lightly.
"Morning, Miss Dolphin~"
Hermione kept staring blankly, completely frozen.
"Hello? Earth to Hermione~"
Kai waved his hand in front of her face, but the little witch's eyes remained locked on him.
"Kai?"
"It's me." Kai nodded, smiling softly, his gaze calm and full of affection.
"Are you… done with your business?"
"All done."
Hermione blinked, suddenly extending her small hand towards him.
Kai's smile faltered slightly—he knew exactly what that meant.
Without hesitation, he removed the Soul Oath necklace from around his neck and placed it in her palm.
Hermione withdrew her hand with decisive speed, tossed her long hair, jumped out of bed in her pajamas, strode to the door, opened it, and stood aside with an expressionless face.
She didn't say a word, but her meaning couldn't have been clearer:
This girl doesn't want to talk to you. Get out.
Kai stood up with a helpless smile. Yep… the little witch was angry.
And he didn't even have to guess the reason. He'd left without warning, taken the Soul Oath, and knowing Hermione's intellect, she had probably pieced everything together.
She'd likely spent the whole previous day both worried and furious. Now, seeing him safe and sound—and even teasing her—the worry had passed, but only the anger remained.
Scratching the back of his head awkwardly, Kai walked toward the door.
"Er… Hermione, I—"
Bang.
Just as he opened his mouth, the door nearly slammed shut in his face.
The doors on either side also opened, and Ron and Ginny poked their heads out simultaneously, clearly drawn by the commotion.
Seeing Kai at Hermione's door, they both brightened.
"Morning, Ron, Ginny."
"Kai?!" The siblings exclaimed in unison.
"Mate! When did you get here?" Ron grinned, clearly excited. "Why didn't we see you yesterday?"
"It's brilliant you're here! You don't know—yesterday, Hermione was so out of it. She kept spacing out, totally distracted, like she was missing someone," Ginny added with a teasing glint in her eyes.
Click.
The door behind Kai cracked open again, and Hermione's head popped out.
"Shut it, Ginny!"
Ginny winked at Kai mischievously, earning herself a fierce glare from Hermione before the door slammed shut again.
"What's up with her? Shouldn't she be happy you're back?" Ron scratched his head, utterly confused. He looked to his sister, hoping for insight.
Ginny rolled her eyes at her clueless brother, shook her head, then turned to Kai, offering him a silent fist-pump of encouragement before retreating into her room.
Ron shrugged. "Girls… impossible to figure out."
Kai chuckled without answering, eyeing Ron still in pajamas.
"Shouldn't you be getting ready? We're supposed to visit the pyramid later."
"Eh, no rush," Ron waved it off with a grin, throwing an arm around Kai's shoulders. "But seriously, where the hell did you disappear to?"
Kai resisted the urge to sigh. Could Ron really be this dense?
Getting rid of him earlier was strategic. Talking to him wasn't nearly as urgent as coaxing an angry Hermione.
"Ah, Kai! You're finally here!"
A familiar, boisterous voice cut through the hall. Arthur Weasley strode over with a broad smile, clapping Kai firmly on the shoulder.
"Why didn't you say you were arriving? We've been waiting to see you!"
His voice, as usual, carried through the entire corridor, drawing the attention of the whole Weasley clan.
One by one, the rest emerged, greeting Kai warmly.
After last year's events in Diagon Alley—when Kai exposed Lucius Malfoy's little trick slipping that cursed diary to Ginny—the Weasleys' affection for him had skyrocketed.
Especially when they learned the diary was the key to the Chamber of Secrets, and that Voldemort's remnant soul was inside…
The Weasleys now regarded Kai almost on the same level as Harry.
Mrs. Weasley enveloped him in a hug, kissing his cheek in gratitude, nearly smothering the lean young wizard.
Surrounded by their enthusiasm, Kai could only let himself be dragged off to breakfast, knowing full well his chance to patch things up with Hermione would have to wait.
The dining room was bright, and although they were in a wizard hotel in Cairo, the long table was piled with familiar British fare: bread, fried fish, chips, and sandwich fixings.
Kai thought privately that British "cuisine" wasn't exactly an improvement over Egyptian food.
By the time Ginny and Hermione arrived, only two seats remained: one beside Kai, and one between Ron and the twins.
"Ginny~ Come sit here~" Fred and George chorused with exaggerated gestures, and Ginny, sharp as ever, darted to their side.
That left only Hermione, who stood awkwardly, staring at the seat beside Kai.
"Well? What are you waiting for? Come sit!" Ron called cheerfully, utterly oblivious to the tension.
Kai nearly applauded him inwardly—well done, Ron.
Hermione huffed softly, marched over, and dropped into the seat beside Kai with an air of defiance, her back stiff, head turned away as she politely greeted Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.
"Hermione's certainly perkier than she was yesterday," Mrs. Weasley remarked playfully, exchanging a knowing look with her husband.
They noticed the odd atmosphere but wisely chose to let the young ones handle their own affairs.
Hermione's face flushed under the teasing, but she couldn't exactly argue with Mrs. Weasley, so she focused her frustration on aggressively cutting her bread, as though it were Kai's face.
Kai's lips twitched at the sight.
Chirp chirp!
Hermione's dramatic movements stirred the small creature curled on her wrist.
As soon as Luna, the tiny magical animal, sensed Kai's presence, she scampered onto his shoulder, nuzzling his face affectionately.
"Luna!" Hermione glared, scandalized.
'I fed you all day yesterday! The moment this guy shows up, you defect?'
Luna tilted her head in confusion, clearly not understanding her Mistress's sudden mood shift.
Hermione's gaze flicked to Kai's laughing eyes, and she quickly looked away.
No. I can't fall for that smile. I'm still mad at him.
Kai, unfazed, casually took her knife, fork, and plate. Hermione, startled, didn't react fast enough and let him—an old habit from countless breakfasts together.
Realizing her mistake, she scowled, snatched his plate instead, stubbornly declaring with her actions:
I don't need your help—I'll handle it myself.
Kai merely smiled and went to work: expertly cutting crustless bread, layering fresh vegetables, tomatoes, and ham, spreading mayonnaise, and crafting perfect triangle sandwiches.
He peeled an egg, twirled his small knife deftly, and decorated it with carrot slices—presenting a playful little rabbit beside the sandwich.
From his pocket, Kai retrieved a compact tea set, brewing rich black tea. He flicked his wand and levitated a cup to each member of the Weasley family—no risk of punishment in a wizard-run Cairo hotel.
Arthur Weasley took his teacup, wide-eyed.
"Kai, that's an impressive Levitation Charm!" He sipped. "Mmm, your tea's just as good."
Hermione snorted softly to herself. Showing off. The wand movements and incantation were totally unnecessary for him.
Mrs. Weasley smiled knowingly. "Hermione, don't be so hard on him. It's only natural for such a capable young wizard to be praised."
Hermione flushed, unable to explain that her annoyance wasn't jealousy—but exasperation at Kai's theatrical display.
Kai, sensing the awkwardness, smoothly redirected the moment.
"Mrs. Weasley, don't worry. Hermione's just upset with me."
With a warm smile, he poured the black tea into a delicate, matching teacup—noticeably more ornate than the others, clearly Hermione's.
He slid her tea and sandwich toward her.
Hermione resisted… for about three seconds.
The rich aroma of the tea teased her senses, and the neatly prepared sandwich, complete with the little rabbit, looked far too inviting.
Hmph… well, he should be making up for it. I haven't forgiven him yet.
Finding justification in her own mind, Hermione took the plate and cup, stubbornly facing away, sipping the tea. The rich flavor spread across her tongue, and her tightly furrowed brows visibly relaxed.
Ginny, watching Kai's careful breakfast preparations, sighed as she sipped her tea.
If only Harry were like that…
She glanced at Ron, shoveling food into his mouth without a care, and couldn't help but purse her lips.
Even if Harry was here… he'd probably be just as oblivious.