Welcome to Ravenclaw

Andrew couldn't decide whether to feel relieved or troubled. He wasn't even in the mood to watch the rest of the Sorting. He only noticed that Hannah was called up last and sorted into Hufflepuff.

After deciding that he would start researching that spell for sealing memories—the one whose name he couldn't remember—tomorrow, he missed the Headmaster's speech entirely.

But there was no need to agonize over what came next.

Dinner was served.

As that Hufflepuff student had said, the food at Hogwarts was excellent.

After trying several dishes, Andrew found his favorite and ate his fill. Even if Dumbledore found out tomorrow, so be it. At least he wouldn't face him on an empty stomach.

By the time Andrew had polished off a pudding, his mood had turned around completely.

"All right." As the food vanished from the tables in a thoroughly magical fashion, Dumbledore stood. Only then did Andrew finally have time to study the wizard he was currently rather afraid of.

The Chocolate Frog portrait hadn't taken any liberties. Dumbledore really was a kindly old man, with white hair and beard and a gentle manner. Even when announcing prohibitions, he hardly looked stern.

"Now that we've all had plenty to eat and drink, I have a few more words for you. At the start of term, there are several points I must remind you of.

"All students are strictly forbidden from approaching the Forbidden Forest. We have to stress this every year.

"Next, Mr. Filch, our caretaker, has asked me to tell you that spellcasting in the corridors between classes is not allowed.

"Also, tryouts for the House Quidditch teams will take place in the second week. Anyone interested should speak to Madam Hooch.

"And finally, most importantly, anyone who does not wish to suffer a painful, accidental death should stay out of the corridor on the right-hand side of the Fourth Floor."

Dumbledore put extra weight behind that last sentence, and every student heard it.

"The Fourth Floor?"

Andrew paused. Then he realized what was there—something he had absolutely no intention of going near. The Philosopher's Stone.

This year, he only wanted to study magic in peace. If he had no classes on that floor, he could avoid the Fourth Floor altogether.

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

Dumbledore's announcement broke Andrew's train of thought. The wildly mismatched singing that followed gave him a strange impression: perhaps someone with Dumbledore's personality wouldn't object to his rewritten version?

He quickly dismissed the deranged idea. If he ended up hanging on the Castle wall while someone demanded to know what he meant by "east bank and west bank," that would be even more trouble than the Philosopher's Stone...

Once the school song was over, the new students set off after the Prefects. Andrew went with them.

That was when he heard another piece of terrible news.

The Ravenclaw Common Room was at the top of the tower... and there was no lift.

More precisely, it was five floors up the endless Hogwarts staircases, with disappearing and moving stairs along the way...

If anyone might wander onto the Fourth Floor by accident, it would be a Ravenclaw who was genuinely lost—or a Gryffindor pretending to be.

Andrew was still grumbling to himself when the Prefects suddenly stopped on the second floor.

"All right. Before we head back to the Common Room, it's time for our traditional grouping."

The Prefect leading them smiled at Andrew and the others.

"Welcome to Ravenclaw. Now for our welcoming ceremony—follow the path you choose."

While Andrew was still wondering what that meant, several upper-year students emerged from the crowd and moved to the front.

"Anyone who thinks there's something wrong with Gringotts, come with us."

Two upper-year students stepped forward, addressed the newcomers, then headed down a corridor without looking back.

A few new students hesitated before following. They slowed as they passed the Prefects, but when no one stopped them, they hurried after the pair.

"Good. It seems everyone understands the rules now."

Another two upper-year students stepped forward. "Then anyone who believes a wizard's first priority is to master great power, come with me."

Several newcomers followed without hesitation. Andrew considered it, then stayed put. The research they led might have nothing to do with Ancient Magic. He would have to work at their pace at first, and worse, it might be a long time before he could lead the group himself.

Besides, this choice had come so early... He had a feeling their views diverged sharply from his.

Hopefully they'll let people join later... Besides, there's another group I'd rather join.

In the end, Andrew did not follow them.

"Now, anyone hoping to win great fame, come with me..."

"Anyone who likes the sound of adventure, come with me..."

"Quidditch..."

"Now, anyone aspiring to join the Ministry of Magic, come with me..."

That's the one!

Andrew hurried after them. If older members helped newer ones, who knew how many Ministry of Magic staff had graduated from this group?

And if he'd guessed wrong, it didn't matter. At worst, he'd work on his own for a few years. Eventually, he intended to gather people to research Ancient Magic, and there were bound to be students in every group whose interests no longer aligned with the others'.

He didn't believe everyone could settle on a goal in their first year and stick to it until graduation.

For now, though, the important thing was keeping up with the upper-year student ahead.

"We're one of the largest groups in Ravenclaw...

"Because of the Ministry of Magic's hiring policies, we're also one of the most competitive...

"The number of newcomers we take each year is fixed, but students from different years barely compete with one another. You see what I'm getting at, don't you?"

Between the brisk pace and the conversation, one newcomer missed a staircase. Andrew suspected the upper-year student leading them had deliberately timed the route to catch it just as it moved.

"Someone who falls behind might catch up. Or they might not... We don't know. But no one will wait for them before they do.

"Ultimately, admission depends on the final results. We're different from the other houses—it's hard to imagine a Ravenclaw without a clear goal in their first year.

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

"You waited longer than the others and heard more, so you know what each group wants.

"Unity in Ravenclaw is both essential and a luxury. We'll never be able to unite with those who hunt for loopholes to profit from. They want us to make mistakes at work so they can reach their goals, while we want to earn credit by sending them to Azkaban.

"The same goes for those who worship power. Most of them will turn to forbidden magic to strengthen themselves and try to evade our pursuit. Our job, again, will be to send them to Azkaban.

"...

"Even within our own group, we still have disagreements. Taking down a rival can be very effective, but the price will probably be Azkaban...

"All right, we've reached the Fifth Floor...

"It's unfortunate for those who didn't keep up, but that's how it is. Unless they pass the assessments we require, they won't be able to join us...

"New students, I hope you remember everything I've said. If you're ready to send your fellow housemates to Azkaban, then welcome to Ravenclaw."