Thursday, September 1st, 1994
"Do we get maps?" asked Anastasia, the girl who Percival recognised from the summer social gathering. "Seeing all these corridors and passageways, I know I'm going to get lost."
"Me too," replied Emily, the girl who had asked the insightful question about Gryffindors and Slytherins. Many flights of stairs had been conquered, and many corridors had been traversed since the new students learnt of the rift between founders. During this time, they had discussed many things, such as curfew, the owlery, their favourite people, and, of course, Quidditch, amongst other things.
"Can you guys recall anything to do with the EPQ?" asked the head boy.
"It's a super long project where you can research about anything in your third year," answered Simon, the Flash super fan. "You then have to write an even longer report."
"Anything else you remember?"
"Some students carry on the research and use it as the basis of their final year project," said Emily. "But what does that have to do with maps?"
"A student found an artefact called the Field Notes. It was essentially a really big dictionary of spells, with a map of Hogwarts and some interesting places to visit on the Hogwarts Estate. It was only given to students who started their magical journey at Hogwarts late, like my friend Gabrielle," Percival explained. "So for her EPQ she researched the said artefact. For her final year project, she made something similar. It's a small book you'll be given with a map, your timetable, syllabus, and place of interest."
"That's super cool. At least I think it is," Emily said.
"If your friend already finished her final-year project, why didn't she graduate yet?" asked Anastasia.
"She hasn't completed her N.E.W.T.S., and she wants to make sure it works as intended before submitting it," Percival explained as they finally managed to catch up to the main group. "You'll find out more information about it later from the creator herself. Now, quiet down for the last bit of the partial tour."
The three children acknowledged the head boy's request. They re-joined the group while Percival remained a few paces back, away from the main group. Once all the newcomers were settled, Jennifer began the final exposition of her partial tour.
"Beyond me is the penultimate stop before we reach the Common Room," Jennifer said as she slowly ushered half the group to start the climb before she and the rest joined them. "This staircase is known to us Ravenclaws as the wall of fame. The wall is lined with busts of famous alumni from our house. There are so many that there is a rotary mechanism that shuffles through the many busts we have."
"The first bust you walked past was Ignatia Wildsmith. She invented Floo Powder and helped develop the Floo Network. This here is a bust of Niamh Fitzgerald. She was one of the best headteachers in the history of Hogwarts and the greatest witch of her generation. There is a shelf in the library dedicated to her and her research. It's very interesting. If you have time, do check them out. This one here is Laverne De Montmorency. Does anyone know what she did?"
"She created Amortentia," Anastasia answered.
"Somebody has read their material over the summer. Well done," the prefect congratulated as the girl's two new friends nudged her. "This is Hector Fawley. Although the Fawley legacy has somewhat degraded in recent times, Hector Fawley's legacy as one of the best ministers of magic is secured. His governance led to the greatest economic growth we have ever seen in Britain. Perpetua Fancourt, here, is the creator of the Lunascope. When you have your astronomy lesson, if you go to the storage area, you might see the first Lunascope prototype."
"Does Lockhart have one? I love his books," said a boy near the front.
"No, he does not have a statue. Maybe one day as one of the best modern fiction writers," the older Ravenclaw answered sharply. "And here we are!"
As the group of first-year Ravenclaws approached the entrance to their common room, they were met with a sight both imposing and intriguing. Towering before them stood a magnificent set of double doors, crafted from rich mahogany wood that gleamed in the soft light of the corridor torches. The doors, adorned with intricate carvings and elegant brass handles, exuded an air of timeless grandeur.
Above the doors, perched regally on a stone ledge, was a majestic eagle statue, its keen eyes seeming to gaze down upon the students with intelligence and curiosity. As the group drew nearer, they noticed that the eagle appeared to be more than just a mere ornament. It was as if it were alive, with its wings poised for flight and its beak ready to speak.
"Welcome, seekers of knowledge." The eagle's voice resonated through the corridor, its tone wise and commanding. "To gain entry to the common room, you must complete my trial. Are you prepared?"
The first-year students exchanged excited glances. With eager nods, they waited for the eagle to do something, anything. With bated breath and excitement palpable in the air, they prepared to face anything, even a troll.
"Step forth, for wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure," the eagle announced as Jennifer took a few steps back, opening the stage for whoever wanted it.
Simon was prepared to take the first step but was beaten to it by Emily.
"Are you ready, child?" the eagle asked. It waited for the girl to nod in response. "You see it; you saw it. What am I?"
Emily took a few moments. "The flow of time?" she said weakly.
While she was stewing in the uncertainty of her answer, unbeknownst to her, a series of soft clicks and whirs could be heard on the small landing. The eagle raised one of its eyebrows, trying and failing to find a significant error in her way of thinking.
"No, actually, it's a seesaw," she responded with more conviction than last time.
"Succeeded in my trial, you have, child. For now the doors to the common are yours," the eagle said as they heard a louder set of cogs turning.
The intricate lock mechanism naked on the mahogany doors began to disengage. The students listened intently as the sound of pivots whining and gears shifting echoed through the corridor, each motion bringing them one step closer to entering their common room.
Finally, with a resounding thud, the heavy doors swung open, revealing a warm glow emanating from within. The students exchanged excited glances, their anticipation reaching a crescendo as they stepped over the threshold and into the heart of their new home, a home away from home.
As they crossed the threshold, the doors closed behind them with a soft thud, sealing off the outside world and enveloping them in a comforting embrace.
Shepherding from the centre, Jennifer led them deeper into the common room. As the first-year Ravenclaw entered their common room, they found themselves enveloped in an atmosphere of quiet elegance and scholarly charm. The main working/lounge area greeted them with the soft glows of ever-lasting candles casting gentle shadows across the room's stone walls.
"If you look to the right, the three statues guard this entrance to the girls' dormitory. Other entrances have similar setups. The stair to the right leads to the boys' dormitory. Boys are not allowed in the girls' dormitory. The first two offences of breaking this rule will receive a harsh point deduction and a talk with Professor Flitwick. The third offence will grant you a meeting with the headmaster. I hope I have made myself clear," Jennifer stated, as they all nodded slowly.
"This is the fifth floor. Just across the landings is where the sixth year sleeps. The ground floor is where your dormitories are. You have a bit of a trek getting out of here, but you do have the option to use one of the alternate exits. However, to enter the common room, you have to use the way we just came in. Each subsequent floor holds the subsequent year. The ground floor has a small private garden that everyone can use. There's a storeroom on the first floor, and the largest library is on the second floor. Each floor has a small library with additional reading materials related to your courses. There's a communal area on the third floor and a silent study below us. The sixth floor also has a silent study area, but mostly fifth, sixth, and seventh years use that one. The seventh floor has a balcony that you can use, and our Head of House's office is on that floor," Jennifer explained. "To access any of these amenities, you have to use the staircase just in front of us, past the statue..."
In the centre of the room stood three rows of seven chairs each, arranged neatly in front of a podium that was in front of a magnificent statue crafted from the gleaming marble of Rowena Ravenclaw. Beside the statue, a pair of staircases curved gracefully upward and downward, and coming down were some familiar faces carrying some familiar boxes.
As the students made their way through the room, they passed by a collection of bookshelves meticulously arranged along one wall. Eleven shelves stood tall, each filled with an assortment of ancient tomes, magical texts, and literary classics such as 'Beedle and the Bard' and, much to the dismay of some students, a signed Gilroy Lockhart collection.
The common room itself was predominantly constructed of cool stone, its surfaces adorned with accents of silver and gold that caught the eye with their subtle shimmer. Splashes of royal blue and regal purple added touches of colour to the space.
Seeing the short professor from the head table coming down the stairs, the new students found an empty seat to occupy while the older students congregated behind the podium. The half-goblin stood on a stool behind the podium and charmed it to float. Seeing the half-goblin bobbing up and down behind the podium, a few students let out a soft chuckle.
"Welcome to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! It is with great pleasure and excitement that I stand before you, just as you are beginning your magical journey.
First and foremost, allow me to introduce myself. I am Professor Flitwick, your Charms professor and Head of Ravenclaw. I am here to guide and support every one of you throughout your time at Hogwarts. A wise old man once said, 'It is our choices that show who we truly are, far more than our abilities.'
As you embark on this new chapter of your lives, I want you to remember one thing above all else: Hogwarts is not just a school; it is a home. A home where you will learn, grow, and forge friendships that will last a lifetime. Here, you will discover the true extent of your magical abilities, uncover hidden talents, and face challenges that will test your courage, resilience, and, not to forget, your wit.
But fear not, for you are not alone on this journey. You have your fellow students, your professors, and the entire Hogwarts community standing beside you every step of the way. Together, we will celebrate your successes, overcome your obstacles, and ensure that you reach your full potential.
Now, as you settle into your new surroundings, I urge you to embrace every opportunity that comes your way. Attend your classes with enthusiasm, immerse yourself in the rich history and traditions of Hogwarts, and never shy away from asking questions or seeking help when needed. Remember, there is no such thing as a foolish question in the pursuit of knowledge.
Welcome to your new home, my dear first-years. Welcome to Ravenclaw!"
The first-year students gave him a short round of applause as he floated behind towards the seventh years. Once the applause died down, the raven-haired boy took centre stage. After taking a few deep breaths, the boy began.
"Enjoy every moment, and take every opportunity. And that's it from me," the head boy said before returning to stand beside his friends.
"That was shorter than I expected," said the professor. "Who's next?"
In response to the question, Gabrielle drew her wand and floated the contents of the boxes to the new students. Once they all had one, the French girl approached the podium.
"Bonjour, my name is Gabrielle, and yes, I'm from France. I joined Hogwarts in my third year and was instantly lost. Luckily, I had the Field Guide to help me find my way around. And now you have your own Field Guide. The artefacts in front of you were conceived during my EPQ. It's your map, planner, and timetable all rolled into one...."