Ravenclaw Common Room

"First-year Ravenclaws, follow me!"

The male and female prefects stood at the entrance to the Great Hall, calling out.

A tall, capable-looking boy in black-rimmed glasses and a short-haired girl walked at the front, leading the tired but excited new students through Hogwarts' maze-like corridors.

The female prefect patiently reminded the newcomers, "Watch out for the staircases. They like changing direction. Especially on Friday nights, when they become particularly... temperamental."

As he led the way, the male prefect added, "Our House's founder, Rowena Ravenclaw, believed that a mind thirsting for knowledge was the most precious treasure. That's why our Common Room is in the castle's west tower. The view is excellent there, and it's good for thinking."

They climbed a spiral staircase that seemed to stretch endlessly upward.

Lucretia noticed that with every turn, the torchlight changed color, gradually shifting from warm orange to calm blue.

Though Helena was a little out of breath as well, she still said seriously, "The higher the tower, the closer one's thoughts are to the stars. Hogwarts: A History says that Ravenclaw Tower is the tallest of the four Houses."

"Ha, I think Rowena Ravenclaw just wanted to make sure her students didn't all become bookworms. At least they'd get some exercise, or they wouldn't even be able to carry their books."

The boy's remark drew a ripple of soft laughter from the students around him.

At last, they reached the top of the tower.

Before them stood a door with neither handle nor keyhole, only a Bronze Eagle Door Knocker.

The female prefect explained again, "Ravenclaw's entrance is special. You don't need to remember a password. You only need to answer a riddle."

She turned toward the door knocker. The eagle's beak immediately came alive and asked in a pleasant yet slightly mysterious voice, "What becomes more useful after it is broken?"

The new students looked at one another and began discussing it in nervous whispers.

Lucretia thought it over as well. It seemed to be a pun.

The male prefect gave the first-years an encouraging look. "Does anyone want to try answering?"

Sophia raised her hand and said evenly, "An egg."

The Eagle Door Knocker nodded. "Clear thinking, sound logic."

The door opened inward without a sound, revealing the Ravenclaw Common Room.

The female prefect patted her shoulder. "Very good, Vera. That was a relatively simple riddle. Sometimes they'll be harder. If you don't know the answer, just wait patiently for another Ravenclaw to help. Don't worry, we won't leave you trapped outside all night like Gryffindor students."

The male prefect added with a smile, prompting a round of nervous laughter, "At least, not most of the time."

As they entered the Common Room, all their exhaustion was swept away by the sight before them.

It was a spacious circular room, with a lofty vaulted ceiling painted with an intricate Star Chart. The stars upon it shimmered faintly as though they were real.

Blue and bronze silk tapestries decorated the stone walls, while large windows overlooked the Hogwarts grounds and the Black Lake, illuminated by moonlight.

At the center of the room stood a marble statue of the Goddess of Wisdom, gazing down at the students with a detached smile.

Soft blue sofas and armchairs surrounded the statue, with a brass oil lamp beside every seat. The light was not bright, but it was enough for students to read by.

Emma's eyes widened. "Wow! This is so beautiful! It was worth begging the Sorting Hat dozens of times to put me in the same House as my mother."

Lucretia wholeheartedly agreed and nodded along.

The Common Room possessed a tranquil beauty, and the starry sky beyond the windows seemed close enough to touch.

The male prefect pointed upward. "Look at the ceiling. It doesn't just display the current night sky. It also shows different astronomical knowledge based on each person's interests."

Lucretia looked up at Orion on the ceiling.

A line of elegant silver words soon appeared beside the constellation, describing its history and mythology.

When she shifted her attention to another constellation, the words changed accordingly.

The female prefect pointed to the other side, drawing the newcomers' attention there.

"The bookshelves along the walls will automatically rearrange the books according to your learning needs. For example, if you want reference materials for Charms, the relevant books will appear wherever is easiest for you to reach, following your thoughts. However, the library's collection is much richer, so don't rely solely on the resources here."

Seeing the first-years staring in rapt attention, the male prefect could not help smiling, his tone carrying a hint of pride. "Ravenclaw values individuality and creativity. Our House has produced many outstanding inventors and thinkers throughout its history. Our Head of House is Professor Flitwick, who is also your Charms professor. Though he is small, his mastery of magic is profound. He often encourages students to share their own ideas, so don't be afraid to speak up in class."

The female prefect nodded and added, "Oh, right. Every Wednesday night, the Common Room holds a Knowledge Round Table. Anyone can join the discussions, share their thoughts, or ask about anything they don't understand academically. Older students will come teach you. All right, the girls' dormitory is up the stairs on the left, and the boys' is on the right. Your luggage has already been delivered to your rooms. Girls, follow me. Boys, follow Campbell."

Lucretia and the other girls climbed another spiral staircase and arrived at the dormitory on the upper level of the tower.

The female prefect led them to the correct room, whose door bore a bronze plaque marked First Year.

"I'll come by later to hand out the schedules Professor Flitwick prepared. Don't turn in too early. If you have any questions, you can ask me or the other prefect. For now, get settled and unpack your luggage."

The dormitory door opened, revealing a circular room with four four-poster beds arranged in a ring, each draped in dark blue curtains.

A Ravenclaw Banner hung on the wall between the windows. The windows themselves were tall and wide, with cushioned curved sills that formed natural reading nooks.

"This is perfect!"

Helena immediately went to one of the beds, where her luggage had already been placed.

Emma rushed to another bed. Her trunk had already been opened, and several packets of sweets lay scattered across the covers.

"Look, all our things are here! Hey, my sweets are all fine!"

Sophia quietly walked to a bed by the window and gently brushed the blue bed curtains, a faint smile touching her lips.

Lucretia found that her bed was near another window. Luna's cage had already been placed in the corner of the dormitory.

The white cat was curled up comfortably on a blue cushion. She opened one eye to look at Lucretia, meowed once, then continued dozing.

Seeing her, Emma set down the Chocolate Frog in her hand and walked over. She reached out, wanting to pet Luna, but hesitated. "Your cat is so pretty! Can I pet her? I mean, she won't scratch people, right?"