Rumors, Replacements, and One Very Concerning Smile
The next morning, Hogwarts woke up to chaos wrapped in whispers.
By breakfast, the news had spread everywhere.
Gilderoy Lockhart
Admitted to the Hospital Wing
Condition: Stable, Ego Critically Injured
Students gathered in clusters, murmuring excitedly.
"Did you hear he'll be out for days?"
"They say Madam Pomfrey banned mirrors."
"Someone said the pixies applauded."
Keith calmly buttered his toast.
Rias sipped her tea.
Susan listened with interest.
Helena looked unusually pleased.
Then the second announcement dropped.
A New (Old) Professor
Defense Against the Dark Arts will be taught by Professor Severus Snape until further notice.
The reactions were immediate.
Gryffindor: collective dread Ravenclaw: cautious interest Slytherin: smug satisfaction Hufflepuff: quiet concern
Helena's eyes lit up.
"…Father's teaching DADA?" she said softly, almost reverently.
Keith glanced at her and smiled.
"You look excited."
"I am," she replied honestly.
Rias leaned closer to Keith.
"This will be… entertaining."
Keith nodded.
"For everyone except Gryffindor."
Rumors Grow Fangs
As the day progressed, rumors multiplied—faster than Cornish Pixies.
Lockhart tried to autograph Madam Pomfrey's clipboard He attempted to flirt with a privacy screen He cried when his books were removed from his bedside
But one rumor stood out.
A very strange one.
Ron Weasley had visited Lockhart.
And—
He came back smiling.
Wide smile.
Bright eyes.
Almost… dreamy.
"I swear," a second-year whispered,
"Ron looked like he'd just been proposed to."
"No way," another replied.
"That's impossible."
Fred and George, passing by, exchanged a look.
"…Should we be worried?" Fred asked.
George nodded gravely.
"Extremely."
Keith, overhearing as he walked past, paused.
He imagined it.
Ron.
Lockhart.
Hospital Wing.
Keith shuddered.
"…I don't want to know," he muttered.
Rias laughed quietly.
Quiet Observations
From the staff table, Professor McGonagall watched the students carefully.
Snape, now officially holding DADA materials, looked as displeased as ever.
Dumbledore, however, looked far too amused.
"Change," he mused softly,
"has a way of revealing truth."
Snape's eyes flicked briefly toward Keith Argus Runcandel.
Then away.
The Calm Before the Lesson
That night, Hogwarts buzzed with anticipation.
Snape teaching Defense.
Lockhart disgraced.
Ron… questionable.
And Keith?
Keith felt it.
Something had shifted.
Not loudly.
Not violently.
But undeniably.
The year had truly begun.