Noise, Nonsense, and a Very Busy Dragon
The following days at Hogwarts passed in a strange rhythm.
On one side:
chaos, ego, and public embarrassment.
On the other:
Keith Argus Runcandel, living his best life and not caring.
Ron Weasley's Grand Exhibition (Unrequested)
Ron decided that one exhibit was not enough.
So he moved it.
Right into the Great Hall.
A banner—hand-painted and crooked—hung between two pillars:
"THE TRUTH THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO KNOW
By Ronald Bilius Weasley"
Several students stopped.
Stared.
Then slowly backed away.
Ron stood proudly beside his table, arms crossed.
"Ask me anything," he announced.
No one did.
Except Colin Creevey, who took pictures anyway.
"Ron," Hermione hissed, "this is deeply embarrassing."
Ron scoffed.
"History always mocks its heroes first."
At the Hufflepuff table, Keith glanced once at the banner.
"…Impressive commitment," he said neutrally, then went back to eating biscuits with Susan.
Susan nodded seriously.
"He's brave."
Helena added softly,
"Or terminally delusional."
Keith agreed with both.
Snape Arrives (Verbal Destruction, Precision Grade)
Professor Snape stopped in front of the exhibit.
Silence fell like a curse.
Ron brightened.
"Professor! Care to read—"
Snape picked up the manuscript with two fingers, as if it were infectious.
He skimmed one page.
Then another.
Then—
He looked up.
"Mr. Weasley," Snape said softly, dangerously,
"this is not a biography."
Ron blinked.
"It's… not?"
"This," Snape continued,
"is what happens when imagination, ego, and poor handwriting form an unholy alliance."
Snape flipped a page.
"You claim here to have 'stood fearlessly against the Dark Lord.'
Curious, considering you were unconscious."
Another page.
"And here you describe your wand 'glowing with destiny.'
It was broken."
Ron's ears turned red.
Snape closed the book.
"With effort," he said, "this might qualify as fantasy fiction.
Unfortunately, even that genre has standards."
A beat.
"Remove this nonsense immediately or I will assign you an essay entitled
'Why Silence Is Sometimes a Gift.'
Ten feet. Double-spaced."
Ron vanished.
The banner was gone within minutes.
Keith watched from afar, sipping pumpkin juice.
"…Efficient," he murmured.
Rias smirked.
"Snape used one paragraph."
Lockhart's Comeback Attempt (Keyword: Attempt)
Gilderoy Lockhart returned to the Great Hall one morning with:
A new cape Freshly regrown skin (still pink) A forced smile that twitched at the edges
"My dear students!" Lockhart boomed.
"Adversity only sharpens true greatness!"
Someone coughed: "Pixies."
Lockhart pretended not to hear.
"I am pleased to announce," he continued,
"that I will soon release a revised edition of my adventures!"
Snape, passing by, paused.
"Excellent," he drawled.
"Perhaps this one will include events that actually occurred."
The hall erupted in laughter.
Lockhart froze.
Later that day, a notice appeared:
G. Lockhart will be taking an extended leave to "recover creatively."
Keith glanced at the notice once.
Then forgot about it entirely.
Keith's Days (Peace, Girls, and Sign-Ins)
While Hogwarts buzzed with nonsense, Keith's days were… pleasant.
Classes went smoothly Herbology thrived thanks to earlier help DADA under Snape was brutal but effective
Between lessons, Keith spent time with—
Rias, calm and proud at his side Susan, easily flustered but glowing with confidence Helena, quietly happy whenever Snape passed by Daphne, elegant and composed Astoria, cheerful and clingy when allowed Cassandra, observant and protective Penelope, sharp-eyed and thoughtful Katie and Angelina, energetic and bold
Sometimes they studied.
Sometimes they walked the grounds.
Sometimes they just sat together in comfortable silence.
And every night—
SIGN-IN COMPLETE.
Rewards stacked quietly:
Galleons Muggle currency Rare spell books Enchanted chocolates High-grade biscuits (universally approved by Susan)
Keith accepted them without fuss.
"This," he decided, watching his group laugh over something Angelina said,
"is much better than drama."
Far away, Ron was trying to rewrite his introduction.
No one noticed.