Keith Meets the Gargoyle & the Principal
Professor Sprout gently patted Keith's shoulder after Herbology.
"Keith dear, the Headmaster would like to see you.
Third floor. Password is… Pepper Imps."
Keith nodded politely and walked off.
At the Gargoyle Entrance
Keith stood before the stone guardian.
Keith: "Pepper Imps."
The gargoyle shuddered.
Gargoyle: "Ugh. Another blasted candy. Does this old man know ANY password NOT related to sweets?"
Keith blinked.
Keith: "Is it that bad?"
The gargoyle unleashed years of frustration:
Gargoyle:
"Toffee Ears.
Sherbet Lemons.
Fizzing Whizbees.
Rock Cakes.
Licorice Wands—
That one nearly killed my dignity."
Keith patted the stone wing.
Keith: "I completely understand."
The gargoyle froze.
No student had ever agreed before.
Gargoyle: "…Thank you, young master."
The statue willingly shifted aside.
Entering Dumbledore's Office
Immediately, the portraits stirred.
Keith bowed respectfully.
Then he saw one portrait in particular—
Cedric Runcandel
—former Headmaster of Hogwarts, 9th Patriarch of the Runcandel line.
Keith dropped to one knee.
Keith:
"45th Head of Runcandel, Keith Argus Runcandel, greets the 9th Patriarch."
Cedric Runcandel's portrait smiled proudly.
Cedric:
"You carry the name well, boy."
Dumbledore looked amused.
The Meeting with Dumbledore
Keith sat opposite the Headmaster.
Dumbledore folded his hands.
Dumbledore:
"I need your advice, my boy.
It concerns Nicolas Flamel… and the third-floor room."
Keith raised an eyebrow.
Keith: "How much have the… trio discovered so far?"
Dumbledore flushed red.
Dumbledore: "They found Flamel's name…
…But they still don't know who he is."
Keith massaged his temples.
Keith: "Sir, Ron read a book upside-down last week.
Neville forgets his wand in his own pocket.
Seamus explodes feathers."
Dumbledore's face stiffened.
Keith continued:
"If you want them to find the truth, put the information in a treasure box.
Drop it somewhere they'll 'accidentally' stumble upon."
Dumbledore leaned back.
Dumbledore: "Is there no more… elegant solution?"
Keith sipped his coffee.
Keith: "Even if you painted the answer on the ceiling, Ron wouldn't see it."
Dumbledore winced.
Keith added:
Keith:
"And please make sure any challenge in the third-floor corridor has the IQ difficulty of elementary school puzzles.
Otherwise they will die, sir."
Dumbledore stared into the void.
The portraits nodded solemnly.
Cedric Runcandel Speaks
Cedric Runcandel's portrait chuckled.
Cedric:
"Albus, the boy is right.
If those three buffoons must find the truth, at least do not let them disintegrate on the first puzzle."
Dumbledore groaned.
Dumbledore:
"How do such idiots end up at Hogwarts…?"
Keith finished his coffee, placed the cup down, and rose.
Keith: "Good luck, Headmaster."
Dumbledore muttered something like:
"…Merlin give me strength…"
Keith exited the office as the portraits whispered:
"The boy is far too sensible for Hogwarts…"