Ravenclaw's Way of Doing Things

Without a doubt, Hogwarts' Start-of-Term Feast had completely changed Vizet's opinion of English food.

The heat control on all kinds of meat was just right. Not only was it tender and juicy, but it was also bursting with flavor.

The proper use of spices such as Black Pepper and Rosemary brought out the meat's rich flavor.

The various gravies, ketchup, and dipping sauces were just as good. Spreading a little on a sausage or potato added the perfect finishing touch.

Vizet took another Lamb Chop and drizzled a spoonful of gravy over it. The atmosphere at the feast grew livelier and livelier.

The older students around him chatted and laughed, discussing all kinds of interesting stories. They talked about everything from current events to gossip about famous witches and wizards, and from spellcasting experiences to their professors.

Although Vizet had not yet studied magic systematically, he could still learn a great deal from listening.

Professor McGonagall had an excellent reputation and was responsible both in her work and in dealing with students;

As Gryffindor's head of house, she was especially strict with her own students and never hesitated to deduct points.

Professor Snape was the Potions Class professor, as well as the head of Slytherin House.

If Professor McGonagall was a positive example of strictness toward herself and others, then Professor Snape was the opposite;

Professor Snape was especially lenient toward his own house, but exceptionally strict with the other houses. He would even nitpick over the smallest details and deduct points for all sorts of trivial matters;

However, this behavior was mainly directed at Gryffindor, which was why Gryffindor's house points had been at the bottom for years.

As Ravenclaw's head of house, Professor Flitwick was responsible for teaching Charms Class. His lessons were very entertaining, and all the students of Ravenclaw admired him.

Professor Sprout was a kind, middle-aged woman who spent her days among various magical herbs. She also had a good reputation among the Ravenclaw Students.

After the main course came dessert. There were all kinds of pies, along with sponge cake, pudding, jelly, and Ice Cream.

The syrup in the pastries was far too thick, and the taste was simply too sweet.

Vizet only scooped up a small portion of Ice Cream and savored its rich, milky flavor.

Dessert put everyone in a good mood. The older students changed the subject, discussing their experiences during Summer Vacation and the recent break-in by thieves at Gringotts.

"Have you heard about the recent incident at Gringotts? The Daily Prophet has run it as a headline for several issues."

"A robbery of an underground vault—and the highest-security vault at that? I don't think any Wizard would be stupid enough to do something like that."

"I think so too. Maybe it was the Goblins staging the whole thing themselves to show off their so-called dedication to service... Of course, only to wealthy Pure-blood Families."

"Could it be another Goblin Rebellion? During Summer Vacation, I visited the Mine Pit Eye. Some of the facilities from the Goblin Rebellion are still preserved there. Their smelting technology really is fascinating."

The disappearance of the desserts from the plates meant that the Start-of-Term Feast was drawing to a close.

Dumbledore rose once more and walked toward the Owl Podium. "Now that everyone has eaten their fill, why don't you listen to this old man ramble on for a few more minutes..."

Amid a burst of cheerful laughter, he continued with a beaming smile, "First, let me introduce your new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor—Quirinus Quirrell."

A Middle-aged Man with a thick Purple Turban wrapped around his head stood up. His outfit had a strong Indian flair.

He waved his arms somewhat awkwardly and stammered in a low voice, "H-hello, everyone! I... I'm Quirinus Quirrell! I'm v-very happy to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts!"

"Thank you, Professor Quirrell!" Dumbledore gestured for Professor Quirrell to sit down. "There are also a few familiar reminders..."

"First-year New Students, please take note: the Forbidden Forest on one side of the school grounds is strictly off-limits to students. It is very dangerous, so you must be absolutely certain of your abilities if you wish to enter."

"If you wish to learn more about the School Rules and the Details of point deductions, you can find our caretaker, Mr. Filch. He has booklets prepared."

"Also, the selection of Quidditch players will be held next week. Please check the Bulletin Board in your common room for the exact time..."

Dumbledore added quite a few more Details. Finally, he cleared his throat, wiped away his smile, and grew serious.

"There is one more matter, and it is the most important one. If you do not want to suffer an accident and die a painful death, do not go near the Fourth floor right corridor. Remember that!"

The Great Hall fell briefly silent, until Dumbledore smiled again.

He cheerfully drew his Wand. "Before you return to your common rooms, let's sing the school song together!"

Boom!

A long golden ribbon flew from the tip of his Wand. It floated in midair over the Great Hall, twisting like a Snake and forming lines of text.

Dumbledore used his Wand as a conductor's baton. "Use whatever tune you like. Follow the lyrics. Ready... sing!"

Gryffindor sang the loudest, followed by Hufflepuff.

Ravenclaw and Slytherin performed about the same. They merely mouthed the words, with only a few people actually singing aloud.

The somewhat awkward school song finally ended. The prefects led the students out of the Great Hall in an orderly stream, heading to their respective common rooms.

Vizet followed the Marble Staircase forward. When the portraits around them saw the students, they whispered among themselves and pointed.

Rumble, rumble, rumble...

A heavy rumbling came from ahead.

It was a series of magical staircases, constantly shifting position. Sometimes they stretched longer, sometimes shorter; sometimes they stopped in front of a door, and sometimes they pressed tightly against a wall.

At the head of the group was Penelope. She pointed proudly at the magical staircases and said, "The Moving Staircase was designed by the founder of Ravenclaw—Rowena Ravenclaw."

"Since this is a Magic School, the staircases naturally cannot be too ordinary. The Moving Staircase must be as free as a Wizard... All right, it's time to go up. Let's move!"

She led the students onto the Moving Staircase and continued introducing Ravenclaw's history.

"Ravenclaw House is as free as the sky, and our common room is located high above. Bronze and blue are our house colors. They symbolize the free Eagle and the sky..."

"Our common room also has a house library. Although its collection cannot compare with the school library's, it is not far behind. At the very least, we can read these books more freely..."

The journey to Ravenclaw's common room was a long one, requiring them to constantly pass between the Moving Staircases.

During the journey, quite a few New Students began to lose their way. Some even started nodding off as they walked.

Vizet was not one of them. He looked around curiously at everything. Whether it was the moving paintings or the suits of armor brawling with each other, everything was incredibly magical.

Cho Chang said with a smile, "You seem very well suited to Ravenclaw. You haven't gotten confused even once."

Vizet nodded. "This place is so interesting. I can't get enough of looking around... I hope I'll be able to sleep tonight."

Cho Chang reminded him, "You have lessons tomorrow. You'd better get up early and make a good impression on the professors."

At last, they arrived at the tower where the common room was located.

A Bronze Gate stood before them. Above it was a Bronze Eagle Statue with its wings folded.

The Eagle Statue looked incredibly lifelike, as though it might flap its wings and soar into the sky the very next moment.

Penelope walked up to the Bronze Gate. The Bronze Ring beneath the Eagle Statue trembled, and a pleasant female voice came from within it.

"I am here, yet I am completely unaware; if I abandon it, I will surely die ten thousand deaths?"

Penelope looked at Vizet and the others. "Ravenclaw is different from the other houses. We don't need a password. As long as you can answer the question correctly, you can enter the common room."

"Today's question isn't difficult. Why not let the New Students answer it? Let's see if anyone can figure it out... What exactly is the answer to this question?"

She noticed that quite a few New Students were at a loss and gently reminded them, "Remember, there isn't only one answer. As long as you can explain it convincingly, you'll pass."