Room of Requirement — Dawn Simulation
The Room shifted again.
This time, Keith asked for comfort.
Soft morning light filtered through tall windows that hadn't existed a moment ago. A table, two chairs, a hearth. The room listened—as it always did when Keith was involved.
Keith touched the necklace.
"Rowena," he said gently.
"You can come out. It's safe."
A shimmer of light gathered.
Rowena Ravenclaw emerged, now far more solid than before. Her posture was elegant, her presence calm—but her eyes moved constantly, drinking in everything.
"…So this is Hogwarts," she murmured.
She stepped forward, fingers brushing over a floating rune inscription on the wall.
"…No."
She frowned.
"This is not Hogwarts."
Keith tilted his head.
"…Too different?"
Rowena turned slowly, her expression complex.
"It is… familiar," she said carefully.
"But also—"
She waved a hand.
"—loud. Inefficient. Fragmented."
Keith smiled faintly.
"Welcome to modern wizarding education."
A Founder's Critique
Rowena walked toward a conjured window. Outside, the castle grounds stretched in their present form.
"…The wards are layered improperly," she said immediately.
"Who stacked defensive arrays like this?"
Keith coughed.
"…Multiple headmasters. Over centuries."
She pinched the bridge of her nose.
"I can tell."
She turned sharply.
"And why," she asked dangerously calm,
"are there so many unmonitored cursed artifacts inside a school?"
Keith raised a hand.
"…In my defense, I just removed one."
Rowena paused.
Then sighed deeply.
"…At least someone is thinking."
She walked again, tapping the floor with her heel.
"The Founders designed Hogwarts as a living system. Learning, protection, balance."
She looked at him.
"Now it's a museum with children inside."
Keith laughed softly.
"…You're not wrong."
The Students
Rowena's gaze softened.
"…But the children," she said.
"They're still bright."
She paused, eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
"And you," she added.
Keith blinked.
"…Me?"
"You carry ancient magic," Rowena said quietly.
"But not arrogance. That is… rare."
She studied him for a long moment.
"…Helga would have liked you."
Keith smiled.
"That means more than you think."
Transition — Runcandel Mansion (Portable Dimension Link)
That evening, Keith returned to his private wing within the portable dimension.
Rias was there—lounging comfortably, crimson hair cascading over her shoulders, reading while floating upside-down just because she could.
She glanced up.
"…You're smiling."
Keith paused.
"…Am I?"
"Yes," she said suspiciously.
"The 'I just caused something historic' smile."
Keith sighed.
"…I may have accidentally found a Hogwarts Founder."
Rias froze.
Slowly.
"…What."
Telling Rias the Truth
Keith sat beside her and explained everything.
The diadem.
The two souls.
The purification.
The woman.
Rias listened silently, eyes widening only once—when he mentioned the name.
"…Rowena Ravenclaw," she repeated.
"Yes."
Rias leaned back.
"…So let me get this straight."
She counted on her fingers.
"You casually destroyed a Dark Lord fragment, saved a Founder's soul, and now she lives in a necklace."
"…When you say it like that—"
She smacked his shoulder lightly.
"Idiot."
Keith chuckled.
Rias then narrowed her eyes.
"…Is she pretty?"
Keith hesitated exactly half a second.
"…Yes."
Rias stared.
"…How pretty."
"…Very."
Rias's aura flared.
Then—
She laughed.
A rich, amused sound.
"…Of course."
She leaned in, pressing her forehead against his.
"But," she said softly, eyes glowing warmly,
"you didn't hide it."
"No," Keith replied immediately.
"I wouldn't."
Rias smiled—proud, possessive, affectionate.
"…Good."
Founder Meets Dragon Empress
Rias tapped the necklace.
"…Can I meet her?"
Keith blinked.
"…You're not angry?"
Rias smirked.
"She's a Founder, Keith. Not competition."
She paused.
"…Probably."
Keith chuckled.
"Rowena," he said aloud.
"May I introduce someone?"
Light shimmered.
Rowena emerged—and the moment she saw Rias—
She felt it.
"…Ah."
Rowena's eyes gleamed with sharp interest.
"A Crimson Dragon," she said calmly.
"Not a descendant. A true one."
Rias grinned.
"…Founder."
They stared at each other.
Then—
Rowena smiled approvingly.
"…You chose well."
Rias laughed.
"…I like her."
Keith sighed in relief.
A Quiet Understanding
Rowena turned to Keith.
"This world is… lacking," she said gently.
"But with you here—"
She smiled.
"—it has a chance."
Keith nodded.
"I'll protect it."
Rowena inclined her head.
"Then Hogwarts may yet be worthy again."
The necklace glowed faintly.