Bellatrix & Nagini Become Runcandels
Over the next several months, the Runcandel mansion grew even livelier.
Nagini, once cursed and broken, absorbed Gamma's business lessons at blinding speed—her intelligence and serpent instincts made her frighteningly efficient. Keith eventually made her:
CEO of Runcandel Store (Wizarding World)
Gamma, patient as ever, guided her through paperwork, meetings, potion supply lines, herb monopolies, and negotiation strategies. Nagini adapted flawlessly.
Bellatrix, meanwhile, took a different path.
Even after healing, she felt she owed Keith her life. She insisted on working.
She became the mansion's most devoted maid—
sharp, elegant, fiercely loyal, and more alive than she had been in years.
The other women accepted her surprisingly smoothly.
After all, once you enter the Runcandel orbit, escape is impossible.
Keith and Rias Turn Eleven
On a quiet summer morning, two owls arrived together.
Two envelopes fell into Keith's and Rias's hands:
HOGWARTS
School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Acceptance Letters
To: Keith Runcandel
To: Rias Runcandel
Rias hugged her letter with sparkling eyes.
Keith opened his and smiled calmly.
He had been expecting this moment.
Waves of Letters from the Girls
As soon as Keith replied to Helena Prince, Daphne Greengrass, Cassandra Vole, and Susan Bones with the news that he and Rias had received their Hogwarts letters…
All four girls were ecstatic.
Helena wrote back immediately, asking when she could see him again. Daphne composed an elegant, excited reply. Cassandra sent a polite yet eager letter. Susan Bones practically radiated happiness in her handwriting.
Meanwhile…
Astoria Greengrass, one year younger, pouted in her room.
She would have to wait one more year before she could join Keith at Hogwarts, and she hated it.
Inside Hogwarts — The Portraits React
In the Headmaster's office, Dumbledore held the two letters.
Behind him, dozens of portraits leaned in, excited and nervous.
Especially one portrait—
the tall, dignified figure wearing Hufflepuff colors:
Cedric Runcandel
Former Hogwarts Headmaster
Founder of the modern Hufflepuff system
Ancient ancestor of Keith's line.
Cedric's golden eyes lit up.
"So… a Runcandel child returns to Hogwarts."
He smiled proudly. "It has been far too long."
Dumbledore cleared his throat.
"There is another. Not only Keith Runcandel, but—"
He held up the second letter.
"Rias Runcandel."
The office erupted.
"Impossible!"
"Two Runcandels?"
"How can that be?"
"I thought only Luna Runcandel and Keith Runcandel remain!"
One portrait finally asked the obvious question:
"Cedric, how did she gain the name?"
Cedric's expression didn't waver.
"She earned it."
Silence.
"The Runcandel name is never given lightly," Cedric continued.
"If Keith bestowed it upon her, that alone is enough.
I will welcome both of them with pride."
Every portrait fell quiet—even Dumbledore.
They all knew the weight of the Runcandel name:
A name that had produced only four wizards in a thousand years—
and each one left a mark on magical history.
Now two would enter Hogwarts at once.
=========================================================================
Chapter 25
Diagon Alley – The Gathering of the Girls
The next day, Keith and Rias arrived in Diagon Alley hand in hand.
Their presence alone drew attention—the Runcandel aura, the beauty, the elegance… people whispered as they passed.
Not far away, Helena Prince had just introduced herself to Susan Bones, Daphne Greengrass, Cassandra Vole, and Astoria Greengrass. The five girls were chatting awkwardly, still getting to know each other…
Until Keith and Rias appeared.
The group froze.
Their First Reactions
Daphne's cool mask shattered for two seconds—her eyes widened, stunned. Cassandra stiffened, blushing hard. Susan nearly dropped her bag. Astoria, the youngest, simply stared with comically wide eyes. Helena, already used to Keith's looks, smiled warmly.
Keith greeted all of them politely.
Rias embraced Helena, and Helena hugged her back tightly, happy to see her newest friend.
Ollivander's Wand Shop — Wand Choosing Fate
All the girls walked with Keith and Rias into Ollivander's.
Ollivander himself peeked out from behind a stack of boxes, eyes twinkling as he recognized the Runcandel crest.
One by one, the girls stepped up:
✔ Daphne
Got a precise, elegant wand that fit her cool personality.
✔ Cassandra
Received a flexible wand suited for charmwork.
✔ Susan
Received a warm wand eager to cast defensive magic.
Rias's Turn
Rias tried several wands before the right one finally responded.
A wand glowed crimson—
as red as her hair and as regal as her aura.
Ollivander whispered, "Magnificent… a wand with the spirit of pure fire."
Rias smiled proudly.
Keith's Turn — A Never-Before-Seen Phenomenon
When Keith approached the table…
Something impossible happened.
Every wand in the entire shop began to float.
Dozens upon dozens lifted themselves from their shelves, humming, resonating—
as if greeting a King.
Ollivander gasped.
The girls stepped back.
The shop vibrated.
Then—
A sealed wand box in a protected vault behind the counter clicked open on its own.
A wand drifted out…
No—
two wands drifted out.
One platinum white, gleaming like moonlight.
One sapphire blue, shining like the deepest ocean.
They circled Keith like loyal guardians—
then merged…
Fusing into one single, breathtaking wand:
The Platinum-Sapphire Runcandel Wand
A divine, radiant wand with swirling sapphire veins.
A wand that felt alive.
Ollivander's voice trembled:
"I have… never witnessed such a thing. Two master-wands choosing the same wizard… then merging?
Mr. Runcandel… this wand rivals the Elder Wand in power."
Keith attempted to pay, but Ollivander raised a hand.
"No. A wand like this chooses its master, not the reverse.
It is an honor simply to witness it.
Take it—
and may fate favor you, Lord Runcandel."
Keith bowed his head in thanks.
Astoria's Cute Moment
Outside, Astoria shyly tugged Keith's sleeve.
"C-Can I see your wand?"
Keith handed it to her gently.
Astoria examined it with the fascination a child holds for a rare toy, turning it around with wide sparkling eyes.
It was so adorable Keith couldn't stop his hand from patting her head.
Astoria's cheeks turned pink instantly.
Daphne looked away with crossed arms.
Susan giggled softly.
Cassandra tried to act calm but stared enviously.
Shopping & Parting Ways
Together, the group bought all their Hogwarts supplies:
uniforms potion kits books quills familiars (for a few of them)
Their bags filled, their excitement rising, the group stood at the end of Diagon Alley.
They exchanged goodbyes, each girl secretly looking forward to seeing Keith again in Hogwarts.
Rias slipped her hand back into Keith's as they walked away.
The year was 1991.
Hogwarts awaited.