Forbidden Items
Inside the magnificent Great Hall, the only sounds were scattered conversations and the occasional burp.
Dumbledore stood up from the platform and looked around; the restaurant quickly fell silent.
"Oh, now that everyone has eaten and drunk their fill, I'd like to say a few more words. At the beginning of the semester, I'd like to point out a few important things to keep in mind."
"Attention first-year students, all students are strictly prohibited from entering the woods on campus. Some of our homeroom teachers should also remember this." Dumbledore glanced specifically at the Weasley Twins.
"Furthermore, Mr. Filch, the caretaker, also asked me to remind everyone that several more items have been added to the list of prohibited items in the castle this year: Take-copter, Ma Zhu, and underwater snorkels. The entire list comprises about 413 items, which can be found in Mr. Filch's office. Anyone interested can check it out." Then, a clamor erupted, filled with condemnation of the ban.
"What's wrong with Take-copter? It's outrageous that first graders aren't allowed to bring flying brooms!"
"I'm in second grade. We can bring flying brooms, but we can't bring Take-copter that can only fly slowly?"
"How is this school structured?"
"Hogwarts doesn't allow swimming? This must be a Slytherin conspiracy; they only allow themselves to enjoy the underwater scenery!"
What did Ma Zhu do wrong this time?
"Alright, alright, the relevant explanations will be posted outside Mr. Filch's office later."
"The Quidditch player selection process will take place in the second week of this semester. Students who wish to join the college team should contact Madam Hooch."
"Finally, I must tell everyone that anyone who does not wish to encounter an accident and die a painful death should not enter the corridor on the right side of the fourth floor."
At this point, almost no young wizards noticed what followed. They almost all launched a campaign to denounce Filch and wrote letters to Dumbledore requesting that the ban be lifted.
Dumbledore looked at Harry, who was equally unmoved and showed no curiosity about the fourth floor, with surprise. Harry then abandoned Percy and went into Ron's arms, asking Ma Zhu which books the underwater breathing tube came from.
"Now, before you all go to bed, let's sing the school song together!" Dumbledore shouted.
Then, the other teachers on stage and the other upperclassmen, except for the Weasley Twins, all stiffened and lost their smiles.
Dumbledore flicked his wand, and a long, golden ribbon floated out, twisting and coiling like a snake above the high dining table to form lines of text.
"Each of you choose your favorite tune," said Dumbledore. "Ready, set, sing!"
Then all the teachers and students began to sing at the top of their lungs:
Hogwarts
Hogwarts
Hogwarts
Hogwarts
Please teach us the knowledge.
Whether we are balding old people
The child still had a sprained knee.
Our minds can accept
Some interesting things.
Because our minds are empty right now.
Full of air,
Dead flies and trivial matters,
It taught us some valuable knowledge.
What we have forgotten
Give it back to us.
As long as you do your best,
Leave the rest to us.
We will study hard.
Until my mind went completely blank.
Most of the students sang the school song seriously, albeit in a disorganized manner.
A small group sang the school song to the tune of "Doraemon," and as time went on, Harry, Ron, and even Hermione joined in.
Only the Weasley family twins continued singing along to the slow melody of "Funeral March," but judging from their expressions, they probably wanted to join Doraemon's group. Perhaps the reason they didn't join was that they didn't want to play pranks that weren't started by them.
However, Dumbledore still used his wand to conduct the last few bars for them, and when they finished singing, his applause was the loudest.
"Music," he said, wiping his eyes, "Is far more captivating than anything we've done here! It's time for bed. Everyone, go back to your dorms."
The Ravenclaw freshmen followed Penelope through the noisy crowd, out of the dining hall, and up the Marble Staircase.
The Slytherin and Hufflepuff freshmen went down to their common room in the basement.
After eating and drinking to their heart's content, what often follows is an irresistible urge to sleep.
Along the way, the young wizards yawned constantly, their legs feeling like lead as they slowly made their way forward.
Soon, they reached the sixth floor, where there was an entrance to the Ravenclaw Tower. After passing through suits of armor and turning corners, a spiral staircase finally appeared before Ryan and the others.
Then they climbed and climbed, and almost everyone broke out in a light sweat as they walked up in dizzying little circles. It was truly a test of physical strength.
Finally, an old, smooth wooden plank appeared before the new student, with a Bronze Door Knocker shaped like an eagle on it.
Penelope extended her long, slender fingers and knocked on the door. The eagle's beak immediately opened, but instead of chirping, it spoke in a gentle, musical voice. "Where did the vanished thing go?"
"Attention, everyone!" Penelope didn't answer immediately, but turned her head and said gently.
"I am Prefect Penelope Clearwater, and I am pleased to welcome you to Ravenclaw House."
"This is where the wisest witches and wizards live, just like our founder, Rowena Ravenclaw. This is the entrance to our common room. Just knock gently, and the Eagle Ring will ask you a question. If you answer correctly, the door will open for you to enter."
"To turn into nothingness, that is to say, to turn into all things," Penelope replied, turning her head.
"That makes sense." The voice finished speaking, and then the door opened.
The new students followed closely behind and filed in. Before them was a large, round room with elegant arched windows draped with blue and bronze silk.
The ceiling is domed and painted with stars, and the dark blue carpet below is also covered with stars. The room is filled with tables, chairs, and bookshelves, giving it the feel of a library.
Next to the statue in the niche opposite the door is a door leading to the dormitory.
Without any lengthy speeches or introductions, Penelope first led the girls through a door to their bedrooms.
Then she led the boys through another door.
Then there was a spiral staircase leading upwards, where each person's bed, a four-poster bed, had their name written in gold lettering. There were five four-poster beds with dark blue flannel curtains hanging down.
The other young wizards were all tired, so they changed into their pajamas and went to bed.
Ryan's bed was in the corner, with Harry and Ron on either side.