In recent days, I've read a lot of feedback about my interpretation of Ravenclaw and thought it over. I indeed may have gotten the order of things wrong.
Ravenclaw is wise enough; I originally wanted to use Helena's memories to illustrate Ravenclaw's defining characteristic—tolerance.
Tolerance that comes from wisdom—seeing enough and seeing far enough to be accepting, not in the Hufflepuff sense of unity and kindness, but tolerance for differing opinions and diverse paths.
That's why the Sorting Hat says that anyone with wisdom can find like-minded people in Ravenclaw.
It's a different, more oppositional type of community compared to Hufflepuff. Conflicts gradually arise, eventually leading to separate paths.
But everyone is searching for their own way through their wisdom. Because of this tolerance, Ravenclaw can accommodate those on different paths. And because of wisdom, those on different paths won't be easily persuaded.
While finishing the last chapter, I thought about Luna, and I realized that Ravenclaw indeed should have "bad" people.
Since Ravenclaw accommodates many wizards with strong personal ideas, it shouldn't be a harmonious place—it should resemble the Hundred Schools of Thought during China's Spring and Autumn period.
It should have various factions, good and bad, all fighting for what they believe in, sending those they can't agree with off to Azkaban.
The very purpose of Ravenclaw House is to let those with ambitions confront each other to spark new ideas and produce more brilliant knowledge.
And this process will inevitably give rise to things that aren't exactly "pure."
So, of course, Ravenclaw has people like Lockhart, who seeks fame, and Rita, who believes in authority—because they are both pursuing what they think is important in their own ways.
And it's natural that some Ravenclaws think they're wrong and believe they should be sent to Azkaban—that's just how Ravenclaw is.
Thanks to this tolerance, Ravenclaw has people like Lockhart and Rita, yet it also has Millicent Bagnold (the Minister for Magic who persisted in resisting Voldemort until victory).
Would all Ravenclaws be proud of people like Rita or Lockhart? Of course not.
Ravenclaw's tolerance allows people with contrasting actions and opinions to enter, yet it will inevitably have many who reject these individuals internally.
This kind of tolerance even allows them to unite when collectively rejecting something.
Take the Triwizard Tournament Champion selection, for instance. This doesn't affect the fact that afterward, they might still want to send each other to Azkaban.
Professor Flitwick, the head of the house, undoubtedly embodies this spirit of tolerance—though perhaps due to the limited description in the original text.
It was under this overarching principle of tolerance that I began introducing all sorts of eccentric characters to Ravenclaw—though, in hindsight, perhaps I went too far, to the point where a special explanation is needed since I couldn't fully convey this concept from the start.
But I believe Ravenclaw should be like this.
Pursuing wisdom, seeking knowledge, daring to hit back against fellow housemates with force, daring to engage others in school with confidence—
I love my teachers, but I love the truth even more.
Chasing academic success? Good grades? Unity and harmony? Very nice, but that's all too small...
That's just one part of Ravenclaw, but it shouldn't be the whole picture.
Ravenclaw should dare to discuss the future of the magical world, to consider the future of wizards, to seek reason in the midst of chaos.
Daring to say no, daring to use all means necessary to prove a firmly held belief or goal—
Including, if need be, sending other students, even from Ravenclaw itself, to Azkaban.
Yes, that is what Ravenclaw is.
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