Cairo under Martial Law

As soon as the name Grindelwald was spoken, nearly everyone at the table gasped.

Hermione instinctively glanced toward Kai Adler, only to find his expression filled with shock as well.

But unlike the others, Kai's shock was entirely genuine.

It wasn't the revelation that the Old Man had wiped out an entire family—after all, Kai himself had done far worse in the past. But having his own suspicions confirmed by someone else was different.

How the hell does a Curse-Breaker from Cairo know the Old Man's behind this?

If Bill knew… didn't that mean half the magical world probably knew by now?

Kai rubbed his temples, feeling a headache creeping in.

The real concern wasn't just the event itself, but what came next. If someone with malicious intentions decided to connect the dots—his background, his abilities—it could be dangerous.

This wasn't the Muggle world. In the magical world, there was such a thing as Divination.

Ron looked just as rattled. The only time he'd been remotely serious in History of Magic last year was during the lesson on Grindelwald.

"Wait, isn't Grindelwald locked up?" Ron asked, frowning in confusion. "In, uh… New… something… what's that place called?"

"Nurmengard," Hermione blurted automatically, then froze, her cheeks flushing faintly.

She immediately realized—Nurmengard wasn't just any prison. That was Kai's family's prison. He had practically grown up behind those walls as a child…

The anger she'd carried softened slightly, replaced with an unexpected pang of heartache.

"Right, Nurmengard," Ron nodded, "Did he escape or something?"

Bill shook his head.

"No, he's still locked away, supposedly. But the rumor is that the night the Ebo Family was destroyed, the sky above Nurmengard turned pitch black… Grindelwald himself never moved, but his old followers, the ones scattered across Europe, took action."

Kai resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

Old Man, you're so dramatic. All that spectacle just to wipe out one family?

"But it's been nearly fifty years since anyone's seen Grindelwald act—even indirectly," Bill continued, leaning in slightly.

For a brief moment, emotion flickered across Kai's face. But it was gone as quickly as it came when Bill added:

"The Ministry of Magic across Europe is panicking. Some think Grindelwald has a hidden descendant. The theory is the Ebo Family provoked that person, and that's why this happened. Why else would Grindelwald suddenly strike after all these years?"

Kai chuckled inwardly.

A descendant? Nice try. I'm not related by blood to that old lunatic.

"And the Ministry's taking this seriously. They've already hired a Divination Master with verified Prophecy ability to investigate."

Kai's heart sank instantly.

Here we go.

He had feared exactly this. In the magical world, Prophecy was powerful… but also unpredictable.

But he kept his face neutral, not daring to speak. His guilty conscience practically made him glow in the room full of wizards.

Hermione spoke up, her voice steady but her eyes sharp.

"Are Divination Masters really that accurate? Can they just… find anyone they want?"

Kai's lips curled slightly. She always knew how to think ahead—and how to ask the right questions to protect him, even when she was furious with him.

Hearing his soft, amused chuckle, Hermione's ears turned pink again, though she pretended not to notice.

"Oh, no, dear," Mrs. Weasley chimed in kindly.

"True Divination is extremely taxing. The clearer the vision, the more energy—and lifespan—it consumes. That's why many Diviners hide their abilities or offer only vague Prophecies. Even they rarely know if the interpretations are accurate."

Hermione exhaled softly in relief.

Kai, however, frowned deeply.

Consumption?

He had used Prophecy more than once… and never noticed any personal cost. Or… had it taken its toll without him realizing?

A mental note etched itself in his mind—he'd need to be much more cautious with that ability.

Bill nodded, confirming his mother's explanation.

"The Prophecy wasn't clear. The Divination Master only managed to deduce that the Ebo Family sent someone here on a mission—something involving bloodshed. But that mission failed spectacularly… and their entire family paid the price."

"The Ministry connected the dots—Vampires massacred, a Wizard spotted at the scene—and concluded that the last Ebo heir, Oka Ebo, is still alive. Worse, they believe he's now dangerously unstable."

Bill's gaze swept across the group.

"And then there's the possibility that Grindelwald's 'legendary descendant' is also hiding somewhere in the city."

"Whoa, cool!" Ron exclaimed, only to receive a sharp smack to the arm from Hermione.

"Cool? It's dangerous, Ronald."

"Dangerous? It's just one guy," Ron shrugged. "We've got dozens of Wizards here. Why be scared?"

Hermione rolled her eyes.

I'm not worried about Oka, she thought, shooting Kai a sidelong glance.

If she knew him as well as she thought she did—and unfortunately, she did—then Oka Ebo was probably long gone. Replaced. Just like when he had disguised himself as Tom Riddle during the Chamber of Secrets ordeal.

Still, for clarity's sake, she asked:

"Bill, did the Ministry use the Divination Master to try and locate this supposed descendant of Grindelwald?"

The room tensed again. Even Kai's breathing seemed to slow.

If his true identity was exposed now, they'd have no choice but to flee—likely back to mainland Europe, back under the Old Man's protection. Berlin's Ministry was already weak, but in Eastern Europe, Grindelwald's influence still ran deep.

Not to mention Durmstrang—the rival school to Hogwarts—was practically a Grindelwald legacy.

The Old Man did say the Headmaster there was an idiot this year, Kai thought bitterly.

Luckily, Bill shook his head, spreading his hands in helplessness.

"They tried. Of course they did—this is Grindelwald we're talking about. But the Divination Master pushed themselves to the brink… even lost years off their life… and couldn't find a thing."

"Rumor has it Grindelwald's bloodline carried an exceptionally strong Divination resistance. It stands to reason his descendant inherited it. They're undetectable by normal means."

Kai's eyes darkened, his pulse steady but heavy.

Was that why the Old Man stripped away some of his own abilities to pass that Prophecy Power to me? So I couldn't be tracked?

Bill clapped his hands together, breaking the tension.

"Bottom line—the Ministry's on high alert. Cairo's tourism is locked down until they locate either Oka Ebo or Grindelwald's descendant… or both."

Ron and the Twins groaned loudly in unison, devastated by the thought of canceled outings.

But Bill's expression shifted playfully.

"That said… Aslan Road is still open. It's the magical shopping street here in Cairo. Think Diagon Alley, but hotter—and with better food."

"Loads of Aurors patrolling, of course, but it's safe enough for souvenir shopping."

The Weasley family exchanged eager glances, quickly reaching an unspoken agreement.

"Shopping trip it is!"

"Oh, right!" Ron's eyes lit up as they stood. "Harry's birthday is coming up. Perfect time to find him a present."