Almost no Muggle would ever suspect that tucked behind a shabby old pub in London lies a hidden entrance to an entirely different world—a world of magic, wonder, and ancient tradition.
Diagon Alley.
As Kai Adler stepped through the shifting brick archway, his eyes scanned the cobblestone street beyond, and his expression stiffened in subtle surprise.
It was a chaotic blend of color and movement—oddly shaped buildings leaned toward each other as if sharing secrets, cauldrons gleamed in windows, and robed witches and wizards bustled past carrying all manner of strange objects. A group of children clustered around a broomstick display, wide-eyed with awe.
Kai narrowed his eyes.
So this is how wizards travel? On broomsticks? How… medieval.
In his perfectly tailored black jacket, tall frame, and strikingly sharp features, Kai stood out like a statue among scarecrows. Most of the witches and wizards turned to look at him—though the tailored Muggle clothing worn by him and the Grangers drew plenty of attention already.
But Kai's refined bearing, clear European features, and unreadable silver-gray eyes made him even more noticeable.
Hermione Granger held her Hogwarts acceptance letter in one hand and gripped his wrist with the other, tugging him forward like an older sister escorting her younger, clueless sibling.
"This is Diagon Alley," she explained, all business. "You can get everything you need for school here."
She glanced up at him, brown eyes serious. "Do you have money? If not, Gringotts offers grants for new students. Just show your acceptance letter."
Kai tapped the hidden pocket sewn into the inner lining of his robe—left for him by "the old man" just before he left Nurmengard.
"I'm covered."
"Very good~" Hermione nodded in satisfaction. "Then let's get started."
She turned and marched ahead as if she owned the alley.
Kai followed—though he paused, reaching into his pocket to double-check the list he'd received.
"Correction," he said casually. "I'm buying second-year books."
Hermione stopped mid-step and spun around. "What?!"
She snatched his list and held it next to hers. Her frown deepened when she realized the truth.
"But… that's impossible. Why would Professor Dumbledore allow someone to skip a year?"
Kai just shrugged.
Hermione narrowed her eyes, clearly suspicious. "What's your relationship with Dumbledore?"
Depends on the day, Kai thought, lips twitching. Today? Overbearing headmaster. Yesterday? Sentimental old meddler. The day before? Sadistic chessmaster pretending to be kind.
Before he could reply, a shout broke the moment.
"Hermione!"
A shock of bright red hair pushed through the crowd—Ron Weasley, flushed and panting.
"We've been looking everywhere! Why didn't you come find us?"
Hermione huffed. "I was helping my friend shop for supplies."
Ron blinked, then turned to Kai. "Uh, hi. I'm Ron. Ron Weasley."
"Kai Adler." Kai extended a hand. "Nice to meet you."
Ron gave a sheepish grin, rubbing his palm on his jumper before shaking. He couldn't help but notice Kai's crisp clothes and composed demeanor—and suddenly felt even more underdressed than usual.
They exchanged quick pleasantries before Hermione suddenly gasped. "Oh! The books! I almost forgot—we need Lockhart's books this year!"
At the mention of Lockhart's name, her eyes sparkled.
Kai raised an eyebrow. "And who, exactly, is Lockhart?"
Her mouth opened like a wind-up encyclopedia. "Gilderoy Lockhart! He's the most famous Defense Against the Dark Arts author alive—Order of Merlin, Third Class, five-time Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award winner—"
"Can he Apparate at eleven?"
That shut her up.
Hermione hesitated. Then blinked.
Ron barked a laugh. "Who the bloody hell can Apparate at eleven?! You'd have to be some kind of freak!"
Kai looked away, feigning offense.
Hermione covered her mouth to suppress a giggle—but then failed. A real, clear laugh burst out, and she patted Kai on the shoulder as if he were a favorite cousin.
Ron blinked, clueless. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing!" Hermione coughed, face pink. "Let's go, or we'll miss him!"
They pushed through the crowd until they reached Flourish and Blotts—only to find the bookstore packed to bursting.
A large banner hung over the entrance:
Gilderoy Lockhart Book Signing Today – Meet the Author of Magical Me!
The crowd buzzed. Flashbulbs popped. And in the center of it all stood a wizard with golden curls, a blinding smile, and an over-tailored robe in periwinkle blue.
Gilderoy Lockhart.
Kai watched as Lockhart dramatically yanked Harry Potter into a photo op, beaming while the younger boy winced uncomfortably.
"He's real modest, isn't he?" Kai murmured.
Hermione didn't respond. She was too busy blushing—though whether it was because of Lockhart's smile or the boy beside her whispering near her ear, it was hard to say.
Kai smirked. Then glanced up—and froze.
Across the store, a pale-haired boy was sneering at Harry Potter.
Draco Malfoy.
"Who's that?" Kai asked, leaning close again.
"Malfoy," Hermione whispered. "Slytherin. Pure-blood. Very unpleasant."
"And the man behind him?"
The tall, cold-eyed figure that followed was unmistakably Draco's father.
Lucius Malfoy.
The air between Lucius and Arthur Weasley, who had just appeared near the Grangers, grew immediately tense.
Lucius's eyes drifted from Arthur to the Granger couple, and something cruel sparked behind his gaze.
"I didn't expect you to associate with people like these, Weasley," he sneered.
Arthur clenched his fists.
Before he could say a word, Kai stepped forward, calm and clear-eyed.
"Excuse me, sir," he said politely. "Could you clarify what you meant by people like these?"
The bookstore went silent.
Lucius looked at the boy—his crisp posture, pale blond hair, and silver gaze. Not a trace of fear in him.
Kai didn't blink.
Hermione stared up at him.
Ron stared too.
Arthur Weasley smiled faintly.
And Lucius Malfoy… narrowed his eyes.