Chapter 75: "Professors and Ravenclaw Common Room"

As Harry wrapped up his dinner, his gaze wandered to the staff table, where the professors were also enjoying their meal. Among them, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore was impossible to miss. His high-backed chair and the vibrant, shiny robes he wore set him apart from the others.

Harry had already formed an opinion about the headmaster – seeing him as a politician, manipulative, and willing to do anything for the so-called greater good. So, he didn't spend much time watching Dumbledore and instead scanned the rest of the professors.

The faculty was largely as Harry remembered from the canon. Minerva McGonagall served both as the Transfiguration teacher and the Head of Gryffindor House. Harry planned to maintain a distance from her, knowing her close ties to Dumbledore.

Pomona Sprout, the Herbology teacher, also carried the role of Hufflepuff Head. She seemed kind and approachable.

Filius Flitwick, the Charms teacher, was the Head of Ravenclaw. Known as a dueling champion in his younger days, Harry was eager to learn if he could coax some dueling tips out of him.

Then there was Severus Snape, the Potions master and Head of Slytherin House. Harry anticipated challenges with Snape and was ready to retaliate if Snape caused any problems. Snape's actions had contributed significantly to his grandparents' demise, and Harry had no plans to forgive him as easily as his book counterpart did, despite any regrets Snape might have or his love for his childhood crush.

Furthermore, with Lily still alive in this world, Harry was curious—and wary—about how Snape would behave once the war arose again.

Then there were the Professors for other subjects. Septima Vector was in charge of Arithmancy, and Bathsheda Babbling was in charge of the Study of Ancient Runes. Aurora Sinistra took the night sky as her domain in Astronomy. Care of Magical Creatures was under the old and enthusiastic Silvanus Kettleburn, while Sybill Trelawney wasted everyone's time with Divination. Hagrid, the gentle giant, kept his role as the gamekeeper, not yet a teacher of magical creatures.

Quirinus Quirrell, who currently taught Muggle Studies, had yet to encounter his dark future with Voldemort.

Overseeing the broomstick lessons was Rolanda Hooch, with her sharp eyes and whistle always ready. The library was the realm of Irma Pince, guarding her books fiercely, while Madam Pomfrey healed wounds and soothed fevers in the hospital wing.

This year's Defense Against the Dark Arts (DADA) professor caught Harry's eye, not for good reasons. His shabby appearance and demeanor immediately signaled to Harry that this was yet another temporary holder of the cursed position. Harry couldn't be bothered to learn his name, considering the professor would likely exit Hogwarts by year's end, as all DADA teachers had since the curse.

The existence of the DADA curse, allegedly cast by Voldemort, puzzled Harry. It seemed odd that neither Dumbledore nor the Hogwarts board had effectively addressed it. Surely, the combined efforts of the best curse-breakers from Gringotts and the Ministry should overcome any curse, even one cast by Voldemort.

Absent from the feast was the ghostly Professor Binns, confined to the History of Magic classroom. Harry figured the less said about him, the better, given his notoriously dull and outdated lectures that could put even a ghost to sleep.

After the feast concluded, Dumbledore rose to introduce the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Barnaby Fletcher. Harry wasn't particularly impressed; Fletcher seemed to lack any notable credentials, raising doubts about his effectiveness. The name "Fletcher" itself hinted at potential trouble, but Harry hoped this professor wouldn't cause the same issues as other DADA professors in the canon.

Dumbledore then shifted the evening towards announcements. "Firstly," he began, addressing the hall with a reminder from Mr. Filch about the prohibition of magic in the corridors. His voice carried a hint of mischief, which Harry found more annoying than endearing.

The headmaster continued, "Additionally, the second week of term will see the tryouts for your house Quidditch teams. Sign-up sheets will be available in your common rooms, though I must note that only students from the second year and above are eligible to participate." Harry listened with mild interest; Quidditch would have to wait for another year. Harry had no hopes of getting the special pass from Dumbledore like the canon Harry.

Dumbledore's next caution was a familiar one: "I find myself needing to remind you all once more that the Forbidden Forest is strictly off-limits. It houses creatures that are far from benign, some of which pose considerable danger." 

The evening concluded with the Hogwarts school song, a tradition Harry found boring and annoying. The Weasley twins, Fred and George, seemed to delight in the song, adding their own flair to it. Harry, however, remained silent, firmly deciding against participating in the singing.

As the song ended, the prefects rose, gathering the first-year students. Forming an orderly line, the group followed their leaders to the Ravenclaw tower. Along the way, they passed enchanting moving portraits that greeted them with waves and remarks. The fifth-year prefects leading the way took the opportunity to point out significant locations within the castle, providing a brief orientation for the newcomers. 

Upon reaching the fifth floor, the group of first-year Ravenclaws was directed to a corridor ending with a notable door. This door, distinct from others throughout Hogwarts, boasted a bronze eagle knocker at its center, signaling the entrance to the Ravenclaw common room.

The girl prefect took a moment to explain the uniqueness of their house's entrance. "Unlike other houses that use passwords, Ravenclaw values intellect above all. This eagle knocker will pose a riddle, and only by solving it will you gain access. Fail, and you'll be left outside until a kinder soul aids you," she remarked, a hint of disdain in her voice for those who might struggle with this intellectual challenge.

As if on cue, the boy prefect knocked, prompting the knocker to articulate a riddle. Reginald provided the correct answer with ease, impressing his peers and granting them entry.

Harry quickly realized he might have made a mistake choosing Ravenclaw. Even though solving the riddles to enter wasn't hard, having to answer a riddle every single time he wanted to sneak back in was going to be a problem. Harry had plans to sneak out for training sessions in the Room of Requirement, and this riddle system made that much harder.

He had totally forgotten that Ravenclaw's entrance worked this way and now thought maybe Slytherin would have been an easier choice for his sneaky plans. Still, regretting it wasn't going to help. Harry hoped he could figure out some sort of workaround to this riddle issue.

Walking into the Ravenclaw common room, Harry was struck by its spacious and airy feel. The room, bathed in the house colors of bronze and blue, was filled with comfortable couches and armchairs perfect for relaxing and reading. Large arched windows offered stunning views of the outside, and the curtains fluttered softly, adding to the serene atmosphere. A statue of Rowena Ravenclaw, the house's founder, stood proudly by the entrance to the dormitories, symbolizing the wisdom and intellect that defined Ravenclaw.

A small library to the side was an added treat, promising hours of exploration and learning for the students. The prefects quickly briefed everyone on the house rules and curfew times before showing the first years to their dorms.

In the Ravenclaw Tower, just like in Gryffindor, two staircases divided the way to the boys' and girls' dormitories, each spreading across seven floors to accommodate students from respective years. The first floor was designated for the first years, ascending up to the seventh for the seniors. 

The dormitory for the first-year boys was surprisingly spacious, divided into three distinct sections. Each section came equipped with its own bed, cupboard, and study table, catering to the fact that there were only three boys in Ravenclaw's first year: Harry, Reginald, and Roger.

Harry entered first and immediately chose the bed nearest to the door, preferring easy access for his frequent night-time escapades. Roger and Reginald settled on the remaining beds without fuss. With everyone's living arrangements sorted, it was time for formal introductions.

The dark-haired boy introduced himself as "Roger Davies," to which Harry responded in kind. Reginald, already acquainted with Harry from their train journey, exchanged a friendly greeting with Roger.

Roger, intrigued upon hearing Harry's name, asked about his background. Harry, anticipating he would be sharing the next seven years with Roger, patiently answered his questions, eager to maintain a harmonious relationship from the outset.

Being Ravenclaws, both Roger and Reginald exhibited a reserved demeanor. Following brief introductions and a light conversation about their families, the boys turned their attention to unpacking. 

The house elves had delivered Roger and Reginald's trunks to the room, while Harry produced his trunk from his pocket and enlarged it with a spell, earning an impressed glance from both of his new roommates.

Exhaustion from the day's events soon took over, and after settling in, the trio exchanged goodnights and retreated to their beds for some much-needed rest.