Hufflepuff Common Room — That Evening
Hufflepuff was never quiet.
But tonight?
It was feral.
"Did you see Cho Chang walking with Keith?"
"They were smiling—"
"He smiled back."
"I swear she blushed."
By the time Keith returned from dinner, the rumor had already evolved into:
"Keith Argus Runcandel is courting Cho Chang."
Which was impressive, considering he had simply walked with her.
Keith paused at the entrance to the common room.
…Why is everyone staring?
Cedric Diggory leaned against a table, arms crossed, wearing the grin of someone who had just witnessed a catastrophe he was enjoying.
"So," Cedric said casually, "care to explain?"
Keith frowned. "Explain what?"
Hannah Abbott stage-whispered far too loudly:
"Cho Chang."
Keith blinked once.
"…We bumped into each other."
The room went silent.
Then—
BOOM.
Chaos.
"That's how it starts!"
"He said her name!"
"He didn't deny it!"
"He's polite—he's doomed!"
Keith slowly backed away.
Note to self, he thought, never underestimate Hufflepuff imagination.
Ravenclaw Tower — Cho Chang's Spiral
Cho lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling.
He smiled.
He listened.
He didn't brag.
He walked me to the Great Hall.
Her pillow muffled a soft, mortified groan.
"I'm an idiot…"
Marietta Edgecombe peeked over.
"You walked with Keith Runcandel, and you think you're the idiot?"
Cho buried her face.
"I think I like him."
Silence.
Then—
"…Oh."
Ravenclaw would not survive this quietly.
Hufflepuff Dormitory — Rias Notices Everything
Rias Gremory sat on Keith's bed, legs crossed, idly swinging her tail.
Keith was reading.
Which was his first mistake.
"So," Rias said sweetly, "you made a new friend today?"
Keith didn't look up. "If this is about Cho Chang—"
"Oh?" Rias leaned closer, eyes sparkling. "So you remember her name."
Keith closed the book slowly.
"…You're teasing me."
Rias grinned and wrapped her arms around his neck from behind.
"A little. She's cute. Smart too."
She rested her chin on his shoulder.
"But don't worry," she whispered, warm breath against his ear.
"I'm not jealous."
Pause.
"Yet."
Keith sighed, then smiled and hugged her back.
"My crimson princess…"
Her cheeks flushed red instantly.
"H-hey—don't say it like that."
Staff Room — Professional Shock
The Hogwarts staff room was unusually lively.
Professor Flitwick hovered midair, excitement barely contained.
"Ice chains from spatial portals! The structural efficiency alone—Severus, how did he do that?"
Professor Sprout nodded eagerly.
"And the control! No collateral damage!"
McGonagall adjusted her glasses.
"It wasn't taught magic."
Snape stood near the wall, arms crossed.
"He combined conjuration theory, spatial anchoring, and elemental binding. Trial and error. Years of refinement."
Flitwick gasped.
"At twelve?!"
The door opened.
Dumbledore entered, twinkle very much active.
"I couldn't help but overhear."
He examined the written spell Snape had placed on the table.
"…A long-range restraint spell with defensive priority," Dumbledore said slowly.
"Minimal mana bleed. No lethal output. Excellent battlefield control."
Snape inclined his head.
"He gave it to me."
That earned looks.
McGonagall's eyebrows rose.
"He what?"
"He said," Snape replied flatly, "that I was his future father-in-law."
Sprout choked on her tea.
Flitwick squeaked.
Dumbledore smiled… very knowingly.
"I see."
He looked at the spell again, fingers tracing the runic logic.
"Extraordinary creativity. This isn't just talent—this is instinct."
Silence fell.
Then Dumbledore said softly:
"Hogwarts is fortunate to have him."
Snape said nothing.
But he didn't disagree.
Back in the Common Room — Gossip Reaches Critical Mass
By midnight, the final version of the rumor had formed:
Keith Runcandel charmed Cho Chang with forbidden ice magic and destiny itself.
Keith, unaware, was asleep.
Rias watched him for a moment, then smiled.
"Well," she murmured,
"looks like another storm is coming."