Welcome to Ravenclaw

Andrew didn't know whether to feel relieved or conflicted, and he didn't even have the mood to watch the rest of the Sorting. He only vaguely noticed that the girl named Hannah was called up last and sorted into Hufflepuff.

After deciding to start researching that memory-sealing spell whose name he couldn't remember tomorrow, he completely missed the headmaster's speech.

But there was no need to dwell on anything after that.

Dinner was served.

Just as that Hufflepuff student had said, Hogwarts' food was quite good.

After trying several dishes in a row, Andrew found his favorite and happily ate his fill—so what if Dumbledore discovered him tomorrow? He couldn't exactly starve himself to death.

After finishing off a pudding with great satisfaction, Andrew's mindset had completely recovered.

"All right." As the food on the tables vanished in a very magical fashion, Dumbledore rose to his feet—only then did Andrew finally have the time to study the most powerful white wizard, whom he was currently somewhat afraid of.

Clearly, the Chocolate Frog portrait had not cut any corners. He really was a kind old man, with white hair and beard and a gentle demeanor. Even when announcing prohibitions, there was little sternness in his voice.

"Now that everyone has eaten and drunk their fill, I have a few more words to say. At the beginning of term, I would like to remind you all of several important matters.

"All students are strictly forbidden from approaching the Forbidden Forest—this must be emphasized every year.

"Second, our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has asked me to inform you that spells may not be cast in the corridors between classes.

"Furthermore, tryouts for the House Quidditch teams will be held during the second week. Those interested should contact Madam Hooch.

"Finally, and most importantly, anyone who does not wish to meet with an accident and die a painful death should stay out of the corridor on the right-hand side of the fourth floor."

Dumbledore stressed the final sentence, making sure every student heard it clearly.

The fourth floor?

Andrew froze for a moment, then realized what it was—the one thing he absolutely would not try to approach: the Philosopher's Stone.

This year, he only wanted to quietly study magic. If he had no classes on that floor, he could avoid the fourth floor altogether.

"Now, before we all go to bed, let us sing the school song together!"

Dumbledore's words interrupted Andrew's thoughts, and the wildly off-key singing that followed gave him a strange impression—perhaps someone with Dumbledore's personality would not object to his adaptation?

But he quickly threw that mad thought away. Forget it. If he really got hung from the castle walls and interrogated about what "east of the river" and "west of the river" meant, that would be a bigger problem than the Philosopher's Stone...

After singing the school song, the new students began following their prefects. Andrew was naturally no exception.

At that point, he heard another piece of terrible news.

Ravenclaw's common room was at the top of the tower... and there were no elevators...

More precisely, it was on the fifth floor amid Hogwarts' endless staircases, with disappearing stairs and moving stairs mixed in...

If anyone got lost and ended up on the fourth floor during their daily routine, it would either be a Ravenclaw who was genuinely lost or a Gryffindor pretending to be lost.

Just as Andrew was grumbling inwardly, the prefects suddenly stopped on the second floor.

"All right. Before we return to the common room, we'll carry out a traditional grouping."

The prefect leading them smiled at Andrew and the others.

"Welcome to Ravenclaw. Now begins our welcome ceremony—follow your own choice."

As Andrew wondered what that meant, several older students stepped out from the crowd and moved to the front of the group.

"Those who think there is something wrong with Gringotts, follow us."

Two older students stepped forward and addressed the first-years, then headed down a side corridor without looking back.

Several new students hesitated briefly before following. They paused slightly as they passed the prefects, then, seeing that no one stopped them, hurried after the older students.

"Very good. It seems everyone understands the rules."

Another two older students stepped forward. "Then, those who believe a wizard's foremost duty is to master great power, come with me."

Several new students followed without hesitation. Andrew hesitated but did not go with them—what others wanted to research might not necessarily be ancient magic, and joining them would mean following someone else's pace at first. More importantly, he likely would not be able to lead the group until much later.

Besides, for it to appear so early... it felt like the differences here were rather significant.

I hope they accept people who join later... Besides, there's another group I want to join more.

In the end, Andrew did not follow them.

"Then, those who hope to gain great fame, come with me..."

"Those who think adventure is worthwhile, come with me..."

"Quidditch..."

"Then, those who aspire to join the Ministry of Magic, come with me."

This was it!

Andrew quickly followed—by the principle of older students mentoring younger ones, there had to be countless Ministry of Magic employees among this group's graduates.

Even if he had guessed wrong, it would not matter. At worst, he could work alone for a few years—he would be gathering a group of people to research ancient magic in the future anyway, and by then, there would surely be people from every group whose intentions did not align with their groups.

He refused to believe that everyone could firmly decide what they wanted in their first year and never change their minds until graduation.

But right now, the important thing was to keep up with the older student ahead.

"We are basically Ravenclaw's largest group..."

"Because of the Ministry of Magic's recruitment policies, we are also the most competitive..."

"The number of new students admitted each year is fixed, but there is practically no competition between students from different years—so you understand what I mean, right?"

Because they were walking quickly while talking, one new student unfortunately missed a staircase. Andrew suspected that the older student leading them had deliberately timed their route around the staircases' movements.

"Those who fall behind may catch up, or they may not... We cannot be sure. But no one will wait for them before they catch up.

"Still, the final choice will depend on your final results. We are different from the other Houses—it is hard to imagine a Ravenclaw who has not set a clear goal in their first year.

"As for House points and the House Cup, just do your best.

"You have waited longer and heard more, so you know what those people are after.

"Unity in Ravenclaw is both a necessity and a luxury. We are destined never to unite with those who try to exploit loopholes for profit—they hope we will make mistakes in our future work to achieve their goals, while we hope to send them to Azkaban and earn merit.

"The ones who worship power are the same. Most of them will choose all kinds of forbidden magic to improve themselves. Their goal is to evade our pursuit, while ours is still to send them to Azkaban.

"...

"Even within our own group, there are still disagreements. Dealing with your own competitors is a very effective method, but the price will most likely still be Azkaban...

"All right, we've reached the fifth floor...

"It is unfortunate for those who failed to keep up, but that is the reality. Unless they pass the assessments we require, they will not be able to join us...

"First-years, I hope you remember everything I have said—if you are prepared to send fellow Ravenclaws to Azkaban, then welcome to Ravenclaw."