Hufflepuff Quidditch Team Meeting — First Gathering
That evening, Keith and Helena walked into the Hufflepuff changing room. The team was already assembled, murmuring with curiosity.
Cedric Diggory—second-year seeker, energetic and bright—immediately lit up when he saw Keith.
Cedric:
"Keith! Mate, you're joining the team!? Why didn't you say anything at lunch!?"
Keith shrugged lazily.
Keith:
"You didn't ask."
Cedric laughed, clapping his friend on the shoulder.
Helena stood beside Keith, calm and observant, her eyes drifting across the broom racks.
The captain, David Hawthorne, stepped forward.
David:
"Right! Everyone, listen up. These are our new chasers—
Keith Argus Runcandel and Helena Prince."
The room fell silent.
A first-year duo? That alone was shocking.
But the names—
Runcandel. Prince.
Those carried weight.
A few players whispered:
"Prince… isn't that Snape's daughter?"
"Runcandel? That monster who aced half the classes!?"
David cleared his throat.
David:
"Madam Hooch personally praised their flight skills. Helena's precision is exceptional, and Keith—"
He hesitated.
"—well, Keith flies like he's taking a nap."
Keith:
"…I was taking a nap."
Everyone stared.
David coughed into his fist.
David:
"Anyway! We begin full team practice tomorrow. Expectations are high. With these two… we might actually have a chance at the Cup this year."
The room buzzed with excitement.
Cedric leaned over to Keith.
Cedric:
"Try not to fall asleep on your broom, yeah?"
Keith:
"No promises."
Snape Receives the Message
In the staff room, Snape sat reading through third-year essays when a small magical note appeared beside him.
He recognized Sprout's handwriting.
"Helena Prince accepted the position of Hufflepuff Chaser."
Snape's usually impassive face softened—just a fraction.
A hint of pride flashed in his dark eyes.
Snape (thought):
Good. She'll do well.
But then he frowned.
Hufflepuff brooms… were mediocre at best.
And Helena deserved the best.
Without hesitation, Snape stood and strode to his private quarters. He pulled out a quill and parchment.
Order Request — Nimbus 2000
Recipient: Helena Prince
Priority Delivery.
He sealed it with his personal crest.
Snape (quietly):
"She will not fly second-rate equipment."
His voice held a rare warmth.
Reactions of the Other House Captains
News travels fast in Hogwarts.
By sunset, every Quidditch captain had heard the rumor:
"Hufflepuff got two monster first-year chasers—
One is a Runcandel."
The reactions were instantaneous.
Gryffindor Team Room
Oliver Wood nearly dropped his broom.
Oliver:
"RUNCANDEL!? A chaser!? On HUFFLEPUFF!?"
Katie Bell and Angelina Johnson looked at each other with dread.
Angelina:
"Oliver… you're not thinking—"
He was.
Oh Merlin, he was.
Oliver slammed his fist into his palm.
Oliver:
"Special training. Tomorrow morning! Five a.m. sharp!"
Katie:
"We're dead."
Angelina:
"Completely dead."
Ravenclaw Team Room
Captain Roger Davies raised an eyebrow.
Roger:
"Runcandel, huh? And Helena Prince… interesting."
His chasers groaned.
Roger:
"We'll increase endurance drills. Ravenclaw must stay ahead."
Slytherin Team Room
Marcus Flint growled.
Flint:
"Hufflepuff's getting cocky. That Runcandel brat better not think he can beat Slytherin."
Another player nervously added:
"He's… the one who improved the Lumos spell…"
Flint blinked.
"…Wait, WHAT?"
A moment of silence.
Then—
Flint:
"Special training. Starting now."
Slytherin groaned collectively.
Back at Hufflepuff
Keith didn't care about any of the chaos he'd unintentionally caused.
He just stretched, yawned, and walked toward the dorms with Helena and Rias.
Helena looked up at him.
Helena:
"…Father will be proud."
Keith smiled slightly.
Keith:
"He already is."
Helena blushed faintly.