Slytherin Reactions — "Keith Runcandel, You Menace."
The day after the Quidditch match, the Hogwarts corridors buzzed like a beehive.
Everyone talked about:
Keith scoring 12 goals Helena scoring 5 Cedric catching the Snitch And the princess-carry rescue of Angelina Johnson
And nowhere was the gossip louder than Slytherin House.
Daphne and Cassandra sat together at breakfast, pretending not to care.
They failed.
Daphne (poking her eggs violently):
"…So he caught her. In his arms. A Gryffindor."
Cassandra (muttering):
"Of course he did. Keith would catch anyone who falls."
Daphne glared.
Daphne:
"I didn't fall."
Cassandra:
"…We can fix that."
Both girls froze at their own thoughts, blushing.
Then they simultaneously slammed their forks down.
Daphne:
"He's our friend! And those Gryffindor girls are already clinging to him!"
Cassandra:
"They hugged him after the match. I saw it. They touched his arm."
They exchanged a look of mutual outrage.
Daphne:
"Cassandra."
Cassandra:
"Daphne."
Both:
"…We need to talk to Keith today."
Slytherin pride demanded it.
◆ Snape Bragging — A Once-in-a-Lifetime Phenomenon
Meanwhile, in the professors' lounge…
Minerva McGonagall nearly spilled her tea.
Because Severus Snape—dark, gloomy, sarcastic Snape—was smiling while reading the Daily Prophet article about the match.
More shocking:
He was bragging.
Snape (cool voice, but eyes sparkling):
"Helena performed… acceptably."
Flitwick blinked.
Flitwick:
"Acceptably? She scored five goals!"
Snape coughed.
Snape:
"Well, of course she did. She is… my daughter."
McGonagall raised an eyebrow.
McGonagall:
"What about Mr. Runcandel? His kick-shot was extraordinary."
Snape frowned.
But inside, he was beaming.
Because Helena had played alongside him.
Not the Runcandel boy—that didn't matter.
…Probably.
Snape (softly, almost proud):
"Helena's broom was the right decision. She handled it well."
Professor Sprout, hearing this, nearly fainted.
Snape. Complimenting. His daughter.
She smiled warmly.
Sprout:
"They're both exceptional children."
Snape nodded stiffly—but his eyes were filled with quiet pride.
◆ Katie vs. Angelina — The Rivalry Begins
Later that afternoon near the courtyard, Keith was resting on a bench with Vulpix curled on his shoulder.
Angelina arrived first.
She sat beside him, far too close.
Angelina (soft smile):
"Thank you again for yesterday. I still can't believe you caught me…"
Keith:
"You're welcome. It's fine."
She was about to say more when—
Katie Bell suddenly walked up, holding cookies.
Katie:
"Keiiiith~! I baked something for you! Want a taste?"
Angelina froze.
Keith blinked.
Vulpix sniffed the cookies.
Angeline narrowed her eyes.
Angelina:
"Katie. You never bake."
Katie (smirking):
"I do now."
Angelina folded her arms.
Angelina:
"He might not even like cookies."
Katie:
"So you can eat them if he doesn't?"
The air crackled.
Keith stared at them like they were two phoenixes about to duel.
Meanwhile, students passing by slowed down to eavesdrop.
Random Ravenclaw:
"…Are they fighting over him?"
Hufflepuff girl:
"They've been staring at each other for five minutes straight."
"…Is this a boyfriend battle?"
Gryffindor boy:
"Oh Merlin—they're serious."
Eventually, Katie leaned forward, eyes sparkling.
Katie:
"Keith, who do you want to sit with at lunch?"
Angelina leaned in from the other side.
Angelina:
"Obviously me."
Both stared at Keith.
Keith sighed.
Vulpix sighed too.
"…Both?"
Both girls blinked.
Then simultaneously brightened.
Katie + Angelina:
"Okay!!"
Vulpix looked exhausted already.
◆ Slytherin Confrontation — The Jealous Duo Attacks
On the way to lunch, Keith found Daphne and Cassandra waiting.
Arms crossed.
Faces red.
Eyes sharp.
Daphne spoke first.
Daphne:
"We need to talk."
Cassandra:
"Privately."
Katie and Angelina froze.
Rias smirked.
Helena raised an eyebrow.
Keith pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Right… what happened?"
Both girls puffed up their cheeks.
Daphne:
"You caught a Gryffindor girl in your arms."
Cassandra:
"And didn't tell us."
Keith blinked.
"That's what this is about?"
Daphne stomped her foot.
Daphne:
"Yes!"
Cassandra:
"Absolutely!"
Then both muttered under their breath:
"…We wanted to be the first ones you catch."
Keith stared at them.
Rias choked on air.
Helena facepalmed.
Katie & Angelina stared at the Slytherin duo in shock.
Katie:
"…They're bold."
Angelina:
"…Very bold."
Keith sighed.
"Alright. I'll just promise—if either of you fall from a broom, I'll catch you."
Both girls instantly melted.
Daphne:
"…Good."
Cassandra:
"…We accept."
And with that, the two proudly walked away, satisfied.
◆ Ending Scene — Hogwarts Gossip Explodes Again
By dinner time:
Rumors had already spread.
"Keith Runcandel has a Slytherin faction."
"Gryffindor Chasers fighting over him??"
"He's not the Uncrowned Emperor—he's the Unavoidable Emperor."
Even the Weasley twins were taking bets.
Hufflepuff House was delighted.
Gryffindor was panicking.
Slytherin was plotting.
Ravenclaw was writing fanfiction.
And Keith…
sat calmly eating with Vulpix on his lap.
Unaware.
Or pretending to be.