Chapter 107: Hermione Is in Trouble (Part One)

"Mr. Delacour, if there are no further issues, shall we sign the contract we drafted earlier?"

"Of course, no problem at all. To our prosperous business, Mr. Pente."

Kahn shook hands with the middle-aged man. Both wore sincere smiles, though for a merchant, "sincerity" is often a dream; it really just depends on who comes out on top in the end.

The penalty for breach of contract was set exceptionally high. If either party harbored thoughts of backing out, they would effectively be making the other a millionaire in the wizarding world. If one wished to neither fulfill the contract nor pay the penalty, the only remaining price would be their life and their family name.

The cost was too steep. Aside from the occasional lone dark wizard, no one with any family assets would dare to act so recklessly.

The Delacour family in France not only managed a magical herb plantation but also owned two other businesses dealing in dragon materials. They had approached Kahn to exchange their potion ingredients for his dragon materials. However, Kahn had seen through the man’s intentions and had specifically instructed his Shadow Clone to visit a London law firm to draft two contracts filled with traps.

"Boss, I feel like Mr. Delacour is a bit..." Kettle paused. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but he seemed ill-intentioned.

Kahn replied dismissively, "Who cares? As long as we’re making money, that’s all that matters. Kettle, leave the shop to the others for now. Your current task is to negotiate with the other families dealing in magical materials before word of this breach-of-contract clause spreads."

If the Delacour family conducted their business honestly, they might earn a decent living, but if they had devious intentions, they should prepare to lose their entire fortune to Kahn.

"I understand, Boss."

Kettle agreed with a smile. She felt that joining this boss had been a truly correct decision. Because of the exclusive sale of dragon materials, those who needed them had no choice but to purchase from Kahn’s Magical Materials Shop.

According to the shop's rules, any wizard wishing to buy dragon materials was required to purchase one or two other magical supplies as well. Currently, the prices in the shop had not yet risen, but once their stockpile of potion ingredients was sold off, other merchants would find their own inventory impossible to move.

The consumption capacity of the British wizarding world was limited. Many wizards did not need to buy potion materials in the short term, and those who relied on these sales were naturally panicking. For instance, "Slug & Jiggers Apothecary," located right next door to Kahn’s shop, had already shifted their focus entirely to potion-making, leaving the ingredient business to Kahn.

In a few months, Kahn planned to open a potion shop for Kettle in Diagon Alley. He wondered if Slug and Jiggers would turn into dark wizards and blow his shop to pieces when they found out.

"Leave the rest to you," Kahn instructed. "I have some matters to attend to back at Hogwarts."

"Very well, Boss."

Kettle knew Kahn was currently a professor at Hogwarts, though she remained puzzled as to how he found the time to be in Diagon Alley almost every day.

After leaving the shop, Kahn did not return to the school. That was merely a Shadow Clone. His true self was in the Forbidden Forest, searching for a unicorn.

In addition to signing partnership agreements with families like the Delacours and the Demillers, Kahn also intended to visit Knockturn Alley. He hadn't been back since he last bought items from Borgin and Burkes, and this time, he planned to ask if they had any leads on goblin-wrought craftsmanship.

...

Once the Shadow Clone dissolved at his home in Diagon Alley, the chakra and memories flowed back into Kahn’s brain.

He was currently using flight magic to search for a unicorn. He had picked up a trail two days ago, but a group of centaurs had interrupted him, even firing arrows his way. Kahn had been so annoyed that he taught those magical creatures a lesson. While he didn't kill them, he left them battered and bruised, sending them fleeing in pain. If it weren't for the fact that he was within the grounds of Hogwarts, he likely wouldn't have let those who attacked him off so easily.

"Goblin craftsmanship is kept under such tight security that even dark wizards won't touch that line of business," Kahn muttered after careful investigation. It seemed Borgin and Burkes hadn't lied to him; to protect their techniques, goblins would rather destroy them than let human wizards obtain them.

In that case, he would have to make do with wizarding flight enchantments. To someone from the ninja world, there wasn't much difference, but Kahn simply preferred the best.

"No unicorn in this sector either. Could the centaurs have tipped them off?" Kahn marked the searched area on his map, feeling suspicious. Some of the centaurs he had disciplined were quite petty; if he caught one acting out, he wouldn't be so polite next time.

After finishing his search of that area, Kahn used a Levitation Charm to fly back toward Hogwarts.

Recently, due to the expansion of the greenhouses, Professor Sprout’s classes had been postponed while she moved her beloved medicinal herbs and flowers. However, now that the expansion was complete, her Herbology classes needed to be made up. The other professors had it easier, especially Kahn, who had been the busiest in the past few months but had now become the most leisurely professor.

Seventh-year students were busy with graduation. Kahn had recommended those skilled in Herbology and Potions to his own shop, as he needed manpower for his upcoming branches. Sixth-year students were busy with college prep, and those not planning to take N.E.W.T.s could easily breeze through their final year.

Fifth-year students were also preparing for their O.W.L.s. Kahn knew that the exams didn't require actual combat duels, so he had written to Lupin, enclosing two hundred Galleons, and asked him to compile a list of exam key points.

When the fifth-years received the study materials, they cheered with joy. Although the information was over a decade old, the Ministry of Magic hadn't significantly changed the curriculum for a long time, making the materials incredibly useful.

Some bold female students tried to use this as an opportunity to offer kisses, seemingly acting in a coordinated manner, but Kahn, with his quick reflexes, blocked them with a barrier spell. It would be one thing if it were one or two pretty girls, but a whole group rushing up was simply terrifying.

As for the Defense Against the Dark Arts classes for the first through fourth years, things were quite relaxed. As long as they memorized what Kahn taught and performed well in the final dueling sessions, they were guaranteed a perfect score.

Upon returning to Hogwarts from the Forbidden Forest, students greeted him along the way.

"Professor!"

"Professor Pente."

Kahn responded to each one. When he didn't have classes, he was always elusive, a fact that had become common knowledge among the students. Only Hermione managed to see Professor Pente regularly.

Rumor had it that someone had sent him a strange gift, causing him to hide outside the castle. Though unverified, the gossip was detailed; many were certain that someone had boldly sent him items of clothing he had worn, which was why he stayed away.

Kahn was unaware of these rumors. No one dared ask him in class, and after hours, the only person he spoke with was Hermione.

Another day had passed without finding a unicorn.

When Kahn returned to his office, he noticed the door was unlocked.

"Hermione?"

Kahn pushed the door open and was immediately hit by the scent of potions. A cauldron was simmering, but the seat was empty. He had told Hermione she could use his office whenever she liked, so she often came here to brew.

"Must have gone to the restroom?"

Kahn glanced at the cauldron. It looked like a Wit-Sharpening Potion, though he wasn't an expert and could only guess based on descriptions. It had a slight peach scent, but he couldn't be certain. It was best not to touch a potion while it was brewing; Hermione must have had everything under control before she left.

Sitting down, Kahn recalled that he hadn't tormented Tom in a while. He considered taking the diary out and burning it with Fiendfyre, just for the spite of it.

However, as he reached for the diary, he realized it was gone.

"Where is the diary... Did Hermione take it?"

Except for Hermione, few could enter his office. Among the students below the fifth year, she was likely the only one who had studied counter-jinxes for locks. But she should have known it was a dark artifact.

"Professor Pente."

"Something has happened."

Harry and Ron burst into his office, breathless.

Kahn asked directly, "I know. Where is Hermione?"

"Hermione? What does she have to do with this? It’s a fifth-year Gryffindor student," Harry said, looking confused. He quickly added, "Near the Gryffindor tower, she was attacked. It looks like she was hit by a powerful Petrifying Spell."

"Ron, go back and wait for news. Harry, come with me."

Kahn cast a levitation charm on Harry and flew himself toward the second-floor girls' bathroom.

A minute later, Harry floated in, yelling. Upon landing and looking around, he said, "Professor, this is the girls' bathroom."

Kahn pointed to the sink and told Harry, "I know. Now, speak to this sink in Parseltongue and say 'Open'."

"Open..."

"That was English, Harry."

Kahn sighed. Realizing Harry’s Parseltongue was linked to Voldemort's soul fragment and might not manifest under stress, he conjured a snake in front of him. A black serpent appeared, and Harry instantly switched to Parseltongue, though he kept repeating, "Back, move back."

"Harry, it’s fake. Just say 'Open' now, and the snake will disappear."

"Open!"

This time, Harry spoke in Parseltongue. The sink split open, revealing a tunnel leading into the Chamber of Secrets.

"You stay here, Harry. It will be over soon."

With that, Kahn flew into the chamber.

"Professor, I can speak Parseltongue..."

Harry wanted to follow, feeling this was a major event and that he would be safe with Professor Pente, but the professor had flown straight down without him. Harry peered into the darkness, unable to see the bottom, and he hadn't brought his wand.

"I’d better go tell Professor Dumbledore..."

After convincing himself, Harry turned and ran toward the bathroom exit.