Keith Receiving the Philosopher's Stone
Night had fallen over Hogwarts.
In the quiet Hufflepuff common room, Keith was sitting comfortably with a cup of cocoa when the shadows behind him rippled.
Darkrai emerged silently.
Ceruledge stepped out after him, boots clicking softly.
Between them floated a small red object glowing with ancient alchemical power —
The Philosopher's Stone.
Keith raised an eyebrow.
Keith:
"…You two didn't accidentally destroy anything on the way back, right?"
Darkrai:
"No casualties."
Ceruledge:
clang (translation: "Only one dark lord got vaporized. Accidentally.")
Keith sighed.
Keith:
"As long as it wasn't the castle."
Darkrai lowered the Stone into Keith's hand.
Darkrai:
"Master. The artifact is secure. It was nearly claimed by a masked parasite and three fools."
Keith:
"…Yeah, that sounds right."
Ceruledge nodded vigorously.
Keith inspected the stone for a moment — pure alchemical energy, but…
Keith:
"My system's version is better."
He tossed the stone lightly in the air and caught it.
Keith:
"Alright. Good work.
Take the night off — both of you."
Darkrai bowed.
Ceruledge saluted with his ghost-flames.
They vanished into the portable dimension.
Meanwhile: Dumbledore in His Office
After escorting the Troll Trio to the hospital wing (where Pomfrey's scream echoed through the halls), Dumbledore slumped into his chair.
He looked older, more tired, and ten times more done with life.
Dumbledore:
"Without Keith… I don't know what would become of this school."
From the portrait wall, former Headmaster Cedric Runcandel sighed deeply.
Cedric Runcandel (Portrait):
"That boy is my descendant.
He came to learn magic and restore the dignity of House Runcandel…
Not to clean up after three buffoons."
The other portraits murmured in agreement.
Some nodded.
Some facepalmed.
One muttered,
"Poor lad."
Dumbledore rubbed his temples.
Dumbledore:
"I fear Keith's patience will break before theirs does."
Portrait Cedric smirked.
Cedric:
"He is a Runcandel.
His patience will only run out after everyone else's sanity does."
Dumbledore gave a long, drawn-out sigh.
Dumbledore:
"…Merlin preserve us."
Keith's Decision
Later that night, Keith sat on his bed, holding the Philosopher's Stone.
It glowed faintly but felt… lacking.
Compared to the high-grade Philosopher's Stone the system had given him?
This one was a shiny pebble.
Keith:
"Yeah… my version is better."
He placed it back in a storage box.
Keith:
"I'll give this one back.
If I keep it, Ron might claim he 'helped.' I refuse to risk that."
He shivered at the thought.
Even Vulpix shivered in her sleep.
That settled it — Keith would return the Stone to Dumbledore soon.