4Once the last student was sorted, Blaise Zabini heading to Slytherin, the headmaster stood. His colorful robes sparkled with dazzling stars as he glanced around the room. Hermione thought his eyes seemed to linger a bit longer on the Ravenclaw first years. "Surely I'm imagining it," she thought.
After a moment the Headmaster began. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!"
With that the Headmaster sat down. And all at once the tables filled with copious amounts of all sorts of foods. Hermione sat stunned as she looked at all the food. She carefully took some chicken and cheesy broccoli from nearby. She noticed Neville grabbed the same items. "Twinsies Neville?" she asked. He looked over and chuckled.
"I guess so, Hermione," he replied. Then they began to chat while they ate.
A few seats down Harry, wanting to get Draco into a better mood, racked his brain over what to talk about. "Hey Draco, I saw you in Madam Malkins, right? And you mentioned something about brooms? What was that about?"
"Oh yeah! We did meet there, didn't we? I remember trying to figure out who you were now. I wish I'd known we'd be housemates. Maybe I could have convinced Father to take us to look at brooms," Draco responded. "He wouldn't take me since first years aren't allowed brooms at school. Wait..if you don't know about brooms, does that mean you don't know about Quidditch?"
"What's quid-ditch?" Harry asked?
"Oh Merlin!" Draco replied, before launching into an explanation of brooms and Quidditch.
Just as he was finishing up the Headmaster once again stood. "Now that our bellies are full there are a few announcements. First, welcome back Professor Quirrel from his sabbatical. He is now switching to our DADA professor. And, as in years past, the Forbidden Forest is well, forbidden (he glances over at a couple of red heads who look like twins at the Gryffindor table). Our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has expanded the list of banned items; you may speak with him to see the full list. And, most importantly, the third floor corridor is out of bounds this year. Any who enter shall face a painful death. And without further ado, you are dismissed to your dormitories." With that he clapped his hands and disappeared.
With that murmurs began to fill the hall? "Is he serious?" asked Hermione to some of the older students beginning to stand nearby.
An older blonde girl walked over with an air of authority. "First years!" she said in a loud voice. "Come with me, please." With that a crowd gathered around and followed her out of the Great Hall. "My name is Penelope Clearwater and I am your female, fifth year Prefect. If you firsties, ladies especially, ever need anything please let me know. Ravenclaw's male fifth year Prefect is Robert Hilliard, and he is especially available to the young men in your year. Now, be prepared for a bit of a climb as we climb Ravenclaw Tower to our dormitories." Once arriving to the Tower they stopped in front of an eagle doorknocker. "Here in Ravenclaw we obtain access to our House by answering a riddle. With that she knocked with the door knocker.
The eagle spoke. "What is yours but mostly used by others?"
The first years stood and gawked for a moment. "Your name?" quietly said a darker complected girl with straight black hair. With that the door creaked open. A young male whispered "whoa!" Penelope ushered the group into the Common Room before entering the room herself.
Once the door had closed behind her, Penelope walked over to a young man waiting in front of a row of tall bookshelves. "Everyone, meet Robert Hilliard."
"Thanks Penelope. It's great to meet everyone. Now we have about 30 minutes, per tradition, before the Upper Years grace us with their presences. We'll go over a few House Rules and have a brief tour of our home during the school year. Take a seat everyone." With that the first years scattered amongst the various chairs and couches. Hermione and Neville, who had walked in together, grabbed Harry, who grabbed Draco, before settling onto a long couch by the fire.
"The first rule of Ravenclaw House," began Penelope, "isn't really a rule at all. It is to remember that as Ravenclaws we are all different, unique individuals. Some of the most eccentric wizards and witches have originated from our House. So please be respectful and kind to each other. If you have an issue with someone, please try to see if from their perspective. And if necessary get a prefect or upper year to help sort the issue."
Robert continued, "The actual rules are as follows:
Boys and girls are not allowed in the others dormitories. In fact, their are wards preventing entrance.
There are no drugs in our house.
We have quiet hours here starting at 8 pm on weeknights and 10 pm on weekends for the dormitories and study rooms. The Common Room, which has special wards to prevent noise from escaping, have quiet hours from 10 pm on weeknights and midnight on weekends.
As first years you must be in the Tower by 8 pm and in your dormitories by 9 pm during the week and one hour later for each on the weekends.
Each year has their own study room where each student as a designated and warded desk area. There are also several tables designed for group work."
"Now, enough of rules. Let's have a brief tour of Ravenclaw Tour," chimed in Penelope. "Of course currently we are in the Common Room. The books on these shelves have been left behind slash donated by previous students. Please be kind to them, some are quite old. You can take them into your study rooms but not your dorms. This door leads to the first year hallway. Only yourselves, Robert and I, and the other prefects may pass through this door. As Ravenclaws we believe in privacy for our studies. The door on the left are the male dorms, the door on the right belongs to the ladies. You may quickly take a peak into your dorms." With that the group split into two as everybody quickly stepped into their assigned room. They were shocked to see their luggage in a pile in the middle of the very blue room. "You all get to decide which bed and dresser you want. And at the end is your study room. Each year you will move up a level, literally, in the Tower, so that as seventh years you have the best views. Not that any of our views are bad."
"Now, let's go back to the Common Room and meet our Head of House, Professor Flitwick," said Robert as he lead the way back.
Once they reached the Common Room they again distributed themselves amongst the furniture. Just about the time they were settled the shortest man they had ever seen entered the room. He was dressed in black suit with a blue wizards cape hanging from his shoulders.
"Welcome, welcome to Ravenclaw House everyone. My name is Professor Flitwick, and I am the Charms professor here at Hogwarts. I truly hope this will be a home to you. Where you will learn, grow friendships, and find yourselves. Remember, as Ravenclaws we are not just about book learning but experiencing everything that life has to offer. I suggest each of you join a club this year to learn something new and interesting, as well as to meet others who share similar interests." He smiled and looked around the room. "I know you've all had a long day. Tomorrow morning before breakfast we'll meet here in the Common Room I'll distribute your schedules to you, and you'll meet your fourth year mentors before Penelope and Robert lead you to breakfast in the Great Hall. Have pleasant dreams everyone." With that he exited through the main door.
"Well, you heard the Professor everyone. Time for lights out," said Robert. Everyone groaned but was secretly glad to get some sleep. It had been a long day. The first years headed into their hallways and split up into their individual dorms.
Hermione gave Neville and Harry quick hugs before heading off into her dormitory. Upon entering the blue room all the girls stood around looking at everyone else. "Um, hello everyone. I'm Hermione. Hermione Granger."
"Hi Hermione, I'm Padma Patil," responded the girl who had answered the eagle's question earlier.
"And I'm Lisa Turpin," a dark brunette answered. "And this is Amanda Dagworth. We live in the same village."
"I'm Su Li," an Asian girl answered. "And you guys, I'm tuckered out. Can we go to bed and really bond tomorrow? I'll make Lo Mein noodles?"
"Sounds great!"
"Me, too!"
"Oh, thank goodness!"
And with that the girls each drug their trunk to a bed, changed into pajamas, and crawled into bed.