Rumors Spread — "The Sleeping Dragon of Hufflepuff"
By lunchtime, Hogwarts was vibrating with a new rumor.
It spread through the castle like fire through dry grass.
Whispers filled the corridors.
"Did you hear? Keith Runcandel fell asleep in DADA!"
"Not just DADA—History too!"
"He slept through the entire lecture!"
"And he still got top scores earlier this week!"
"He's unstoppable!"
The nickname appeared instantly, invented by a Ravenclaw first-year who saw him sleeping with Rias, Helena, and Susan leaning against him.
"He's the Sleeping Dragon of Hufflepuff!"
And unfortunately for Keith…
Everyone loved it.
Even the older years started laughing, calling him:
"Lord of Nap Transfiguration."
"Hufflepuff's Gentle Dragon."
"The Boy Who Naps."
Keith?
He just blinked sleepily whenever someone mentioned it.
Tonks Appears — Ready to Tease
Tonks barreled into the Great Hall at full speed, bright orange hair bouncing behind her.
She spotted Keith instantly.
Tonks:
"Well, well, WELL… if it isn't The Sleeping Dragon."
Keith froze mid-bite of his toast.
Keith:
"…Tonks."
Her hair turned pink with mischief.
She leaned down to his ear and whispered:
"Careful, Keith… if you keep sleeping in class, I might have to carry you to your room myself."
Keith turned and gave her a lazy grin.
Keith:
"Princess, if you carry me… I won't mind."
Tonks instantly exploded red.
Her knees buckled.
Her hair shifted from pink to purple to neon pink.
Tonks:
"W-Why do you always say things like that?!"
Cedric, Helena, and Susan nearly choked laughing.
Rias smirked at the display.
Even the nearby Ravenclaws giggled.
Professor's Table — Quiet Laughter
Up at the staff table…
Professors McGonagall, Snape, Sprout, and Flitwick observed the chaos.
Sprout was red-faced from trying not to laugh.
Sprout:
"That boy… he slept through TWO classes and became famous before lunchtime."
Flitwick chuckled into his teacup.
Flitwick:
"Well, with how easily he improved my Lumos spell, I suppose a nap won't dull his brilliance."
Snape's lip twitched — the closest he ever got to a smile.
Snape:
"Considering Quirrell's stuttering and Binns'… eternal monotone… I'm surprised more students don't sleep."
McGonagall sighed heavily… but her eyes were smiling.
McGonagall:
"Those two classes ARE practically lullabies. But really—Sleeping in both? Mr. Runcandel is making a record."
Snape muttered:
Snape:
"Sleeping Dragon of Hufflepuff… Honestly."
But the tiniest smirk appeared.
McGonagall shook her head.
McGonagall:
"He'll be a legend by the end of the week at this rate."
The staff table, usually strict and composed, shook with barely contained laughter.