"Ravenclaw first years, over here!" Penelope called, waving them toward her. Xavier stood beside her, doing a quick head count.
They gathered at the doors of the Great Hall along with the other houses. James noticed the Hufflepuff and Slytherin prefects leading their charges in a different direction as their common rooms were in different parts of the castle.
The Ravenclaw and Gryffindor groups walked together for a while, climbing staircases and passing through corridors lined with portraits that waved and called greetings. The staircases moved as they walked, swinging gently to connect to different landings.
Percy Weasley led the Gryffindors. His female counterpart turned a corner with him, and Xavier called after them: "Good luck with the stairs!"
"Gryffindor Tower is almost on the opposite side of the castle from Ravenclaw Tower," Xavier explained to the first years. "Takes them longer to get there. We're much more closer to the great hall."
They continued through the castle. The paintings spoke to them as they passed, offering welcomes and unsolicited advice. Several suits of armor stood at attention in alcoves seeming to watch the students pass.
A ghost drifted through a wall, making several first years jump. A woman in medieval dress who just looked at them and floated away.
"That's the Grey Lady," Penelope said. "She's the Ravenclaw ghost. Very helpful if you're lost or need directions but only to Ravenclaws."
"Don't be scared if you get turned around," Xavier added. "The castle can be confusing. Sometimes doors won't open to the right place. Staircases move. Corridors take you places you didn't expect. But no one's ever been permanently lost. Just ask the paintings, ghosts, or suits of armor for help. They all know to help students in need."
They reached a narrow corridor and descended a short flight of stairs. At the end was a room with a large wooden door on the opposite side. A bronze eagle door knocker, nearly half the size of the door itself, gleamed in the torchlight.
Xavier stepped forward and knocked.
The eagle's beak opened, and a soft, melodious voice spoke: "What gets wetter the more it dries?"
"A towel," Xavier answered immediately.
The door swung open.
"You have to answer a riddle to enter the common room," Penelope explained to the bewildered first years. "Either answer it yourself, or wait for someone else to do so."
"What if you get it wrong?" Anthony Goldstein asked.
"You can try again," Xavier said.
They entered a antechamber with two alcoves on either side. Each alcove housed a suit of armor, and the interior of each alcove was painted in Ravenclaw's royal blue with golden runes that moved and shifted.
Directly ahead, carved into the wall, was an enormous marble eagle statue with its wings spread wide. The wings led to two curved staircases that led up on either side.
"Both staircases lead to the first floor of the common room," Xavier said, leading them up the right-hand staircase. "Doesn't matter which you take."
They emerged into the Ravenclaw common room, and James felt his breath catch.
The room was circular, with tall arched windows on all sides offering spectacular views of the grounds. The ceiling was domed and had a skylight. Bookshelves lined every available wall space, packed with volumes on every conceivable subject. Tables and chairs were scattered throughout, some arranged for study, others for conversation. Many fireplace crackled surrounded by comfortable armchairs.
But what really caught James's attention were the instruments scattered throughout the room. Telescopes stood by windows. Orreries showed the movement of planets. Musical instruments rested on floor and table: a harp, and a lute. Strange magical devices James couldn't identify hummed softly on various surfaces.
This was a room designed for learning, for the pursuit of knowledge in all its forms.
It was perfect.
Penelope and Xavier stood at the front of the room, calling for attention. The first years gathered around them.
"Welcome to Ravenclaw House," Penelope said warmly. "Our house was founded by Rowena Ravenclaw, who valued intelligence, creativity, learning, and wit. We're not just about getting good marks, though that's certainly encouraged. We're about curiosity, asking questions, and understanding magic."
"Our Head of House is Professor Flitwick," Xavier continued. "He teaches Charms, and he's brilliant. Tomorrow morning at seven-thirty, he'll meet with all the first years here in the common room to hand out your schedules and answer any questions."
"Some rules," Penelope said, her tone becoming more serious. "First, respect the common room. It's a shared space. Clean up after yourself. Don't damage the books or instruments. If you borrow a book from the common room, you can keep it for four days maximum. After that, it will magically return itself to the shelf, and you'll have a conversation with Professor Flitwick that you won't enjoy."
"Second," Xavier said, "the common room library books cannot leave the tower. They're warded against it. So don't try."
"Third," Penelope continued, "this is a space for learning. Respect your housemates' need to study. Keep noise to a reasonable level, especially during exam periods."
"And finally," Xavier added with a grin, "first come, first serve. It doesn't matter if you're a first year or a seventh year. Whoever gets to a seat or a book first has the right to it. No one can demand you give up your spot or share your book. We're all equals in the pursuit of knowledge."
Xavier gestured toward two separate staircases at the back of the common room. "Boys' dormitories are on the left. Girls' on the right. You cannot enter each other's dormitories. The stairs will turn into a slide if someone of the wrong gender tries to climb them."
"Let's get you to your rooms," Penelope said, leading the girls toward their staircase.
Xavier led the boys up the left staircase to another floor. They emerged into a circular hallway with corridors branching off like spokes on a wheel. Near each corridor entrance was a bronze plaque.
"Ravenclaw values knowledge and study" Xavier explained. "Privacy and quiet is essential for learning, and thinking. So unlike other houses where you share dormitories, every Ravenclaw gets their own private room."
Several first years gasped with delight.
"The plaques show your room numbers and names. Go to your, your trunk will already be there."
Xavier paused, making sure he had everyone's attention. "Your room is yours for all seven years. The room and all the changes made will stay the same, though sometimes the castle rearranges floors, so you might be on a different level in different years. But the room will always be yours for your entire education here."
"Now, here's the thing," Xavier continued, his expression becoming more serious. "You'll be provided with a bed with bedding, a desk, and a chair. That's it. No dresser, no cupboards. If you want anything else, you'll have to create it yourself using magic. Ravenclaw believes that necessity is the greatest encouragement for self-improvement."
He let that sink in, then smiled. "Don't worry. Older years will help you learn the necessary spells. And you'll be surprised how quickly you pick things up when you grow tired of searching for things in your trunk."
"Curfew for first through second years is 9 PM to 6 AM. Third years and up get extended hours. The library is open from 8 AM to 8 PM, seven days a week. Your class schedules will be distributed tomorrow morning by Professor Flitwick."
"Any questions?" Xavier asked.
One boy raised his hand. "What's on the other floors?"
"Second through seventh year rooms. Each year has its own floor. You're on the first-year floor."
"Are there enough bathrooms?" another boy asked.
"Each corridor has a shared bathroom with separate toilets, showers, and baths. More than enough facilities that you won't need to wait."
When no more questions came, Xavier nodded. "Right then. Find your rooms, get settled. If you need anything, Penelope and I are usually in the common room in the evenings. Any of the prefects or older students will be happy to help. Welcome to Ravenclaw."
He left them to explore. James checked the second plaque in the hallway and found his name: James Acton, Room 7.
He walked down the corridor until he found his door. It was the same style as all the others they'd passed, simple grey white wood with bronze fittings and a small plaque bearing his room number.
He opened it and stepped inside.
The room was small but not cramped. Two tall windows looked out over the grounds, offering a view of the forest and the distant mountains. The moon illuminated the landscape in silver light.
Against one of the windows was a clever bunk bed design. The upper level served as the actual bed, while the lower level housed a desk built into the wall with a simple wooden chair. Curtains hung around the upper bunk, allowing him to block out window light when sleeping.
And that was it. No dresser. No cupboards. No shelves. Just bed, desk, chair, and empty floor space.
James set his school bag on the desk and opened his trunk. His robes went on the chair for now. His books stayed in the trunk's bookshelf compartment.
Tomorrow he'd need to transfigure furniture.
He pulled out his pajamas and made his way back to the corridor, following signs to the bathroom.
The bathroom was indeed large, with multiple stalls for toilets, several shower stalls, and even a few bathtubs for those who preferred soaking. Everything was clean and well-maintained, decorated in blue and bronze tile.
James showered quickly, brushed his teeth, and changed into his pajamas. The bathroom had mirrors that offered compliments and advise as you groomed yourself, which was both charming and slightly disconcerting.
Back in his room, he settled at his desk.
He pulled out a pen and paper from his supplies.
He'd promised his parents he'd write every week, and he intended to start that habit immediately.
Dear Mum and Dad,
I made it to Hogwarts safely. The train ride was fine, though the boats across the lake were cold byt the first view of Howarts more than made up for it. The castle is beautiful and unlike anything I've ever seen although I've only seen a small part of it so far.
I was sorted into Ravenclaw House as we all thought, which I'm also pleased about. It's the house that values learning and knowledge, so it suits me well. We were sorted using a sentient hat which could talk. The hat did consider putting me in either Gryffindor or Hufflepuff but I managed to convince it to place me in Ravenclaw.
My room is small but private. Thankfully, each Ravenclaw gets their own room, which is wonderful. We were only provided with basic furnishing so we'll have to transfigure any thing we want our selves. I believe my chair transfigurations practice will help me ensure my room is appropriately furnished.
The common room has an enormous collection of books tthat are solely here for Ravenclaws, I am glad I will not miss them out due to being sorted somewhere else. I think I'll be very happy here.
The feast was... British. I miss Mum's cooking already. The pumpkin juice is horrible, just so you know. I'll adjust, but don't expect me to develop a taste for it.
Classes start tomorrow. I'll write again next week to tell you how they're going.
Please don't worry about me. I'm safe and settled.
I love you both very much.
Thank you for everything. You're the best parents.
Love
James
He set the letter aside to dry, then climbed the ladder to his bed. The bedding was soft and clean. He pulled the curtains partially closed, leaving one part visible so he could see the moon and stars.
His wand rested in its holster on the small shelf built into the bunk. His first day at Hogwarts was complete.
Exhausted from travel and emotion and the weight of finally being here, he closed his eyes and let sleep claim him.
Outside his window, Hogwarts Castle settled into its nighttime routine. Ghosts drifted through corridors. Portraits snored in their frames. The castle itself seemed to breathe, ancient and alive, welcoming another generation of students into its halls.