The young man quickly became acquainted with the girl named Hermione Granger.
From their conversations, she learned that his name was Kai Adler, that he was an orphan from Germany who had learned magic from a reclusive old man since childhood, had never met another wizard before, and hadn't even seen a wand until recently. She was the first young witch he had ever interacted with.
Hearing this, Hermione couldn't help the faint flutter of pride that bloomed in her chest.
So that's why he had that odd accent—it was English, but with a clearly German flavor.
It sounded… oddly charming.
Time passed quickly. Before he realized it, Kai had already spent more than ten days living in this British neighborhood.
Each day, he'd make his way into the Grangers' backyard, where the girl would inevitably be waiting for him. Sometimes he'd guide her in perfecting the spell that had first drawn them together—Expelliarmus. Other times, Hermione would be the teacher, patiently explaining the rules, quirks, and structure of the wizarding world to this strange boy who had grown up in seclusion inside a dark, ancient German castle.
Through these exchanges, Kai slowly came to understand the broader world around him.
On the surface, the world was still dominated by ordinary people—Muggles—but among them lived a hidden society of witches and wizards. Likely due to a long history of persecution and fear, the magical community, led by institutions like the Ministry of Magic, worked hard to stay hidden from Muggles.
In fact, 99.9% of the non-magical population didn't even know magic existed.
There were exceptions, of course—like Hermione's parents, both Muggles, but allowed to know about magic because of their daughter's gift. Even so, they remained under certain restrictions and supervision.
Hermione explained that when young witches and wizards reached the appropriate age, they would receive a letter—an acceptance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She herself had received hers last year, meaning she was now heading into her second year.
That mention of a letter stirred something in Kai.
Could it be… that the letter the old man had told him to wait for was actually this kind of letter?
Did that madman intend to send him off to school with children?
But then he caught sight of Hermione, seated on the garden bench, head bowed over her thick book, her long lashes fluttering slightly with every blink like the wings of a butterfly. That simple, delicate sight tugged at something in his chest.
Maybe… school wouldn't be so bad after all.
Kai quietly made a vow to himself: He had to find a way to attend that school called Hogwarts. No matter what.
The next morning, a familiar voice floated up from the garden outside.
"Kai! My parents made breakfast! They asked me to come and get you!"
Leaning out of the window, Kai spotted Hermione in the backyard, wrapped in a fluffy bathrobe, looking as if she didn't really care whether he came or not—but still waiting, nonetheless.
"Got it!"
The Grangers had, of course, taken notice of their daughter's increasingly frequent interactions with the boy next door. Upon learning that Kai was from Germany, had no family, and lived completely alone, their kind hearts led them to invite him to meals often.
His good looks and respectful demeanor didn't hurt either. He quickly earned a place at their breakfast table.
Like always, Kai helped Mrs. Granger set the table before taking his usual seat.
The four of them sat and ate together like a little makeshift family. But unlike most mornings, a knock sounded at the front door.
Hermione hopped off her stool and ran to answer it.
"Professor Dumbledore?! What brings you here?"
At the name, Kai looked toward the entrance and saw a man in a flowing purple robe, with long silver-white hair and a beard to match. Perched on his nose were half-moon spectacles that seemed to shine faintly even indoors.
The old man spoke with a gentle and courteous tone.
"Miss Granger. I have a letter to deliver."
Hermione, flustered, quickly ushered him inside.
"This is the greatest living wizard of our time, the headmaster of Hogwarts, Professor Albus Dumbledore! His contributions—"
Ah, there it was again—her nervous chatter. Kai had learned this was a little habit of hers: when flustered, she became a walking encyclopedia, rattling off facts without pause.
The last time she'd done this was when she tripped and accidentally fell into his arms.
"I am merely a humble headmaster, Miss Granger. A pity we are not at Hogwarts; otherwise, I'd award Gryffindor five points."
The twinkle in his eyes and the mild joke immediately put Hermione at ease, and she let out a soft laugh.
"These are my parents," she said quickly.
The Grangers rose from their seats respectfully. They knew little about the magical world, but they could sense that this was someone very important.
"Headmaster, it's an honor. Hermione has always spoken highly of you."
"She's no trouble at all," Dumbledore replied warmly. "On the contrary, your daughter has been an exceptional help to both her classmates and the school."
Then Hermione turned to Kai.
"This is—"
"Kai Adler?" Dumbledore said, with a small smile.
Kai raised an eyebrow, a little surprised to hear the older man pronounce his name perfectly.
"That's one reason I came," Dumbledore continued. He reached into his robes and produced two letters—one for Hermione, and the other for Kai.
Hermione's eyes lit up in realization.
"Wait… the person you were waiting to bring a letter… was Professor Dumbledore?!"
Kai gave a nonchalant shrug. Probably.
Still, he turned toward the headmaster. "Is this the letter the old geezer told me to wait for?"
Dumbledore's eyes gleamed faintly.
"If you're referring to a rather stern gentleman residing in Nurmengard, then yes—this would be the one."
Hermione gasped.
"It's a Hogwarts acceptance letter! Kai, we're going to be classmates!"
Kai stared at the envelope. Emblazoned on it was a crest—shield-shaped and divided into four quadrants, each bearing an animal: lion, snake, badger, eagle.
So it was true. The old man had sent him here to attend Hogwarts.
But… why?
He was already more powerful than most adult wizards. What could he possibly learn from school?
Still, a familiar voice pulled him from his thoughts.
"Kai, may I call you that?" Dumbledore asked.
"Of course, sir."
As he looked at the kindly old wizard, a memory came to mind. Back at the castle, once a week like clockwork, a red bird would arrive and deliver a letter to the old man. He always read it in silence, then responded immediately. Kai had asked about it once. The old man simply said, "An old friend."
But the look in his eyes afterward—bittersweet, lingering, heavy with years of unspoken emotion…
A mischievous thought crept into Kai's mind.
"Professor Dumbledore," he said slowly, "do you know who my old man was writing to every week?"
Dumbledore paused, then smiled faintly. "Yes. That would be me."
Kai blinked. Then blinked again.
"…You and my old man were…?"
He didn't finish the question, but the expression on his face said everything.
A strange gleam passed through Dumbledore's eyes—part sorrow, part humor. He gave a slow, knowing smile… and winked.
Kai's expression grew complicated.
He had considered many possibilities—the old man writing to a lost wife, a child, maybe even an old lover. But this… this he hadn't seen coming.
So the grumpy old hermit was into men after all…
"Anyway!" Hermione broke the awkward silence with a grin. "We can go to Diagon Alley together tomorrow! I'm supposed to meet Harry and Ron there!"
Harry Potter and Ron Weasley—he'd heard those names plenty.
They were Hermione's close friends, boys she'd spent her first year at Hogwarts with. She'd spoken of them often.
Kai made a mental note to remember their names.
Because now, he'd be meeting them himself.