The Gossip Storm After Herbology Class
Herbology class ended.
And within fifteen minutes, two new rumors were running through Hogwarts like wild fire.
Gossip #1 — "Keith Runcandel Can Make Plants Evolve"
It started with the Ravenclaws.
Spread to the Gryffindors.
Then Slytherins.
Finally, even the ghosts heard about it.
Rumor Version 1:
"Keith changed Moonleaf Thyme and doubled its magic output!"
Rumor Version 2:
"Professor Sprout took NOTES from him!"
Rumor Version 3:
"He's basically a walking textbook with legs."
—
Gossip #2 — "The Gryffindor Explosion"
The second rumor was even funnier:
During class, Seamus Finnigan tried to "improve" the soil mix.
It detonated.
BOOOOOOM!
Ron and Neville were blasted backward.
Entire bodies covered in mud.
Their hair full of smoking soil.
Neville's glasses flew into the next table.
Ron yelled, "WHO MESSED WITH MY FACE?!"
Half the greenhouse laughed.
The other half took pictures with quick quills.
And of course… the story mutated by the time it reached the Great Hall.
Rumor 1:
"Seamus blew up five pots!"
Rumor 2:
"Ron flew across the greenhouse!"
Rumor 3:
"Neville turned brown for ten minutes!"
Keith's reaction?
A mild sigh.
He expected nothing less from Seamus.
Tonks Attacks Keith for the Gossip
Tonks ran straight to Keith after hearing the stories.
Her hair shifting colors rapidly—pink, then purple, then red.
Tonks (grinning):
"Keith! Did you really improve an herb so much that Professor Sprout nearly fainted?"
Keith shrugged casually.
Keith:
"I just told her the most optimal way. It wasn't much."
Tonks poked him in the cheek.
Tonks:
"'Not much,' he says… meanwhile the entire school thinks you're a plant whisperer."
Keith:
"That sounds ridiculous."
Tonks:
"Exactly! And also—did Seamus really explode Ron and Neville?!"
Keith nodded.
Keith (deadpan):
"A pot turned into a mini volcano."
Tonks burst out laughing so hard she nearly fell backwards.
Professor Sprout Becomes Keith's Biggest Fan
In the staff room…
Professor Sprout slammed open the door, beaming.
Sprout:
"Everyone! Everyone, look! My Hufflepuff—my Hufflepuff—Keith Runcandel gave me a method that TRIPLES Moonleaf Thyme efficiency!"
McGonagall blinked.
Snape raised an eyebrow.
Flitwick leaned forward with interest.
Dumbledore twinkled.
Sprout kept going.
Sprout:
"He's a genius! A prodigy! A magical botanist born once every thousand years!"
Snape muttered,
Snape:
"…He answered a potions variation correctly yesterday as well…"
McGonagall added,
McGonagall:
"And he practically taught my transfiguration class."
Flitwick nodded enthusiastically.
Flitwick:
"And he improved Lumos!"
Sprout puffed up proudly like a hen.
Sprout:
"See? My Hufflepuff!"
Even Dumbledore chuckled.
Dumbledore:
"Hogwarts may need to update the curriculum at this rate."
The Whole School's New Nickname for Keith
By dinner, everyone knew the updated title:
"The Walking Magic Encyclopedia of Hufflepuff."
Or the shorter one:
"Genius Runcandel."
Rias was proud.
Helena smirked.
Tonks teased him endlessly.
And Keith?
Keith just wanted to finish his dinner.