"Forget it, Ron." A Ravenclaw fifth-year poured cold water on the idea. "This is only the fifth underground level. Hogwarts was founded over a thousand years ago, and generations of headmasters and caretakers have patrolled it countless times. If this really were a central treasure left by one of the Four Founders, how could it have gone undiscovered until now?"
"You can't be sure of that!"
Another boy from Hufflepuff argued back.
"Haven't you heard the professors talk about cognitive blind spots in class? The more obvious a place is, the shallower it seems, the easier it often is to overlook what's right under your nose!
"Besides, think about the current situation-Ravenclaw's Diadem, Hufflepuff's Cup, and Slytherin's Locket, the Founders' holy relics from three houses, have all been restored to their places in the Castle! Now the entire Wizarding World knows that only the Sword of Gryffindor remains unaccounted for!"
"Exactly!" Ron slapped his thigh. "What if this door has been waiting for us? Waiting for us to open it at this particular moment! If there's a genuine Gryffindor legacy inside, or an ancient ritual that can summon the sword..."
Neville clenched both hands. The Great Sword of Gryffindor...
That bold theory instantly set every young wizard present's blood aflame like wildfire.
"If we could find Godric Gryffindor's Manuscripts..."
"Maybe it's a lost ancient combat manual!"
"I bet there's at least a chest of gold from the Middle Ages inside!"
The more they talked, the more excited they became, and the more outlandish their guesses grew. Even Hermione couldn't help taking out a little notebook and rapidly noting down whether the lion on the door was some kind of rune variant.
An almost feverish enthusiasm for adventure filled the fifth underground level, so much so that several students who had