The commotion at the Slytherin table quickly drew the attention of the professors. As Head of Slytherin House, Professor Snape arrived first, sweeping into the Great Hall with a swirl of black robes and a thunderous scowl.
He paused at the edge of the cleared space, taking in the scene: Crabbe unconscious atop a dazed Goyle, students gawking, pastries scattered across the table—and standing calmly at the center of it all, as if he were a guest at tea, was Kai Adler.
Snape's frown deepened.
"What is going on here?" His voice sliced through the chatter like a blade.
He scanned the crowd and fixed his eyes on Kai, who, unsurprisingly, seemed to be at the heart of the spectacle once again.
His lip curled faintly. "What are you doing here, Adler? You're a Gryffindor, not a Slytherin."
Kai offered a polite nod, completely unfazed. "Good evening, Professor Snape. As for why things are like this—I'd be happy to explain."
Snape raised an eyebrow. "Then, by all means."
"Draco Malfoy, with rather… generous intentions, gifted me a plate of dessert. I noticed Crabbe seemed quite taken with it, so, in the spirit of not taking what others desire, I passed the dessert to him." Kai's voice was even and pleasant, hands loosely clasped behind his back. "After eating it, he behaved… well, as you can see."
Snape's eyes flicked from the tray to the slobber-covered Goyle. He lifted a crumbling pastry delicately with two fingers and brought it closer to his nose. One sniff was all it took.
"Amortentia."
The single word, spoken in a low hiss, made Draco's stomach drop.
Snape's eyes snapped back to Malfoy, and Draco instantly paled under the weight of his glare.
We will have words later.
Snape didn't speak. Instead, with a flick of his wand, Crabbe slumped limply off Goyle's body and began to snore.
"Someone escort him to my office," he ordered coldly.
Then, his gaze snapped back to Draco.
Kai tilted his head slightly. "Professor, did you say… Amortentia? What's that?"
That single question shattered any attempt Snape might have made to quietly resolve the situation.
The Great Hall had fallen almost entirely silent, all ears tuned to the exchange. Even Professor Dumbledore had turned his head toward them, curiosity glinting in his pale blue eyes.
Snape's jaw tightened, but he answered. "Amortentia is the most powerful love potion in existence. It causes an intense obsession with a targeted individual. It is not true love—only an illusion of it."
His eyes flicked to Crabbe and Goyle. "As you can clearly see."
Several students, especially among the younger years, looked alarmed. A few of the older ones glanced sidelong at Kai.
"But be warned," Snape added sharply, raising his voice. "Love potions are dangerous. The effects are not permanent unless constantly reinforced, and the consequences of misuse are often disastrous. Some skilled wizards can resist them entirely."
His gaze rested on Kai—sharp, appraising.
Kai merely smiled, saying nothing.
He had recognized the potion the moment he caught the scent: daffodils in warm sunlight.
Amortentia's scent was unique to each person's affections. Daffodils had been in bloom the first time he met Hermione in the courtyard garden. The connection had been subtle, but distinct.
Hermione, for her part, had once blushed while describing the scent of warm black tea and books—his preferred blend brewed in the staff lounge during his quiet moments.
Ron and Harry, meanwhile, had simply found the pastry "smelled really good." Youth had its simplicity.
Kai's thoughts briefly flickered to his past life—to the austere halls of Nurmengard and the man he had called mentor. The old sorcerer had once mentioned a female officer attempting something similar. The story had not ended well for her. Kai hadn't asked for details. He hadn't needed to.
His gaze shifted back to Draco, who was still seated, frozen, pale, and visibly sweating.
To think he'd try something as childish as Amortentia.
Then again, Draco was only twelve. It wasn't a real threat—just an attempt at humiliation. And to be fair, aiming it at Goyle was an act of calculated cruelty.
Still, punishment was necessary.
Kai smiled faintly. "Thank you, Professor, for that helpful explanation. Now, I have one last question for Mr. Malfoy."
He turned and fixed his gaze on the boy.
"Why did the dessert you gave me contain Amortentia?" His eyes narrowed with mock horror. "Don't tell me… you have a crush on me?"
Gasps and laughter rippled through the hall.
Draco's face twisted in horror. "I do NOT!" he shouted, leaping to his feet as if stung. "I only wanted to teach you a lesson!"
"Draco Malfoy!"
Snape's sharp bark cut through the rising tide of giggles and murmurs. Malfoy immediately fell silent and sat down, flushing with shame under the mounting weight of public scrutiny.
Kai folded his arms and looked back at Snape.
"Professor Snape, I'd like to know—how does Hogwarts discipline students who use magical potions to manipulate or harm others?"
Every student in the Great Hall went quiet. Everyone knew Snape favored his Slytherins—especially the Malfoy heir. But this was different. Too public. Too blatant.
Snape's lips pressed into a thin line. His eyes burned with restrained fury.
"Slytherin will lose one hundred points," he said finally. "Draco Malfoy will serve a month's detention. With me."
A collective gasp rose from the Slytherin table. One hundred points was devastating—especially from their own Head of House.
Kai gave a small, respectful clap. "A fair judgment, Professor Snape. With your permission, I'll return to my seat."
Snape waved a hand, curtly. "Go."
As Kai turned, he caught Lockhart trying to discreetly slip out the side door, his expression twitchy.
He arched an eyebrow in amusement, then looked up—only to find Dumbledore watching him over his half-moon spectacles.
The old wizard gave him a mildly exasperated look, then tilted his head subtly toward the entrance.
Kai sighed.
Time for their nightly "private tutoring," no doubt.
He turned toward the Gryffindor table to call for Hermione—and paused.
Her expression was pale, almost stricken. Her eyes were fixed on him, full of silent worry.
She must have realized, Kai thought, what might've happened if he'd actually eaten the dessert.
His lips quirked into a reassuring smile as he made his way over.
He remembered skipping lectures with a classmate once in his old life—how the professor had tilted his head in the exact same way as Dumbledore just had.
Maybe the old adage was true.
With age… comes mischief.