"Oh, now that everyone is full, I'd like to say a few more words!"
After putting away all the leftover food, Dumbledore stood up, faced the crowd, and magically amplified his voice to address the entire audience.
"As the semester begins, I want to bring a few important points to your attention."
"First-year students, please note that the forest on the school grounds is strictly off-limits. Some of our older students should also keep this in mind."
Dumbledore deliberately glanced toward Gryffindor. Ever since two particular students had enrolled, the school had been more lively than usual.
"Additionally, Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you all not to cast spells in the corridors between classes."
"Quidditch trials will be held during the second week of this term. Any student interested in joining their house team should contact Madam Hooch."
Upon hearing this, the hall erupted in chatter. Many students boasted about their skills and lamented how unfair it was that they hadn't yet been picked for the Quidditch team.
It was evident that Quidditch was a beloved sport at Hogwarts.
"Finally, I must warn you all: if you wish to avoid a horrible accident—or worse—please stay away from the corridor on the right-hand side of the third floor."
Ethan shook his head slightly. Dumbledore was setting a trap for Voldemort.
There was clearly something hidden in that corridor now that hadn't been there the previous year. This announcement would undoubtedly attract not only Voldemort but also the adventurous Gryffindor students, particularly the Weasley twins.
"Now, before we all retire to bed, let's sing the school song!" Dumbledore declared enthusiastically.
The smiles on the other teachers' faces froze.
Dumbledore waved his wand, and a golden ribbon floated into the air, twisting and coiling like a serpent above the dining tables. It arranged itself into lines of text.
"Everyone, choose the tune you like best."
"Ready, sing!"
All the students and teachers stood up and began singing loudly.
However, what should have been a standard rendition of the school song was quickly derailed—by none other than the Weasley twins, who had chosen to sing it to the tune of a "Funeral March."
"First-years, follow me. I'll take you to the dormitory," Penelope called, gathering the newly enrolled Ravenclaws, which numbered only ten this year.
Ravenclaw consistently had the fewest students, and this year was no exception.
The group made their way out of the Great Hall, through a long corridor, and up to the west tower. They climbed a seemingly endless spiral staircase, steep and winding. It felt like a journey without end—a true reflection of Ravenclaw's pursuit of wisdom.
Each house's dormitory had its own distinctive character: Ravenclaws soared in the skies, Gryffindors surveyed their territories from on high, Slytherins thrived in dark, damp places, and Hufflepuffs made their homes underground.
At the top of the staircase, they arrived at a door with no handle, just an eagle-shaped bronze knocker mounted in the center.
"Unlike other houses, we Ravenclaws can only enter by answering a question posed by this bronze knocker correctly," Penelope explained. "Who would like to try?"
The first-years looked around at each other, hesitant to be the first to step forward. Though Ravenclaws were known for their intelligence, none wanted to risk embarrassing themselves.
"Ethan, would you like to give it a go?" Penelope asked, turning to the young wizard who had chatted with her earlier and even addressed her by name.
Given what the Sorting Hat had revealed about him, Ethan was likely to be one of the most promising students in any of the four houses this year.
"No problem!" Ethan replied confidently, stepping forward to test his wits.
He knocked on the door three times with the knocker, as instructed.
" I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with wind. What am I?" a mysterious, magnetic voice asked.
"An echo" Ethan answered decisively.
"Correct," the knocker responded, and the door swung open to reveal the Ravenclaw common room.
Penelope looked at Ethan with approval. Rarely had she seen a first-year answer the door's question so quickly and accurately. The previous year's students had struggled for much longer before finding the correct answer.
Inside, the Ravenclaw common room was circular in design, with a deep blue carpet underfoot, a domed ceiling painted with stars, elegant round windows, and blue and bronze silks adorning the walls. In the center of the room stood a white marble statue of Rowena Ravenclaw. However, what stood out most were the books—bookshelves lined every wall, filled almost to capacity with books of all kinds.
Many of the books had been collected by Ravenclaw students who had chosen to leave them behind after graduating, while others had been donated by alumni or added by the house's deans over the years.
Once everyone had entered, Penelope stepped forward to give her customary welcome speech.
"First of all, welcome to Ravenclaw..."
She spoke about the glory of the house, its long-standing traditions, and the pursuit of knowledge that defined it. While Ethan wasn't particularly moved by the speech—having heard countless motivational talks in his previous life—the other first-years seemed inspired.
When she finished, Penelope breathed a sigh of relief. The day had gone smoothly.
Before leaving, she delivered one final rule, one that applied to all of Hogwarts: "Boys are not allowed in the girls' dormitory, but girls may enter the boys' dormitory."
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