20

September 1, Ravenclaw Common Room, after dinner.

A festive dinner at Hogwarts is not only a dinner, but also a moment when newly admitted schoolchildren get to know those who are already in their House. The first impression is one of the most important in further communication.

Hufflepuff spent the least amount of time eating. Perhaps because of the kitchen located near the living room?

It's immediately clear - they are the friendliest house. All the newly admitted children were cheerful. There was no nervousness or fear on their faces, no fear of the unknown. There was only happiness and joy on their faces. Only occasionally did some children cast guilty or sad glances at the tables of other Houses. Perhaps their relatives were there, perhaps friends, or acquaintances whom they met on the train. But not everything happens as we wish.

Gryffindor - fully corresponded to the word Chaos. Just by looking at them you have a chance of losing your eye. The food they ate flew everywhere but into their mouths. The noise and din created such a cacophony that even the Slytherins who were sitting in the other part of the hall winced. Or is this their eternal enmity? Pops and mini explosions were heard from the red-gold table. Flashes of magic. All the deans, with the exception of the deputy director, looked at this with disapproval. The Head of Slytherin stood out in particular. From his look it immediately becomes clear that Gryffindor is in trouble.

Slytherin is one of the islands of tranquility along with us. Truly a faculty of aristocrats. At the table such concepts as dinner and greeting conversation were intertwined. Everyone was decorously operating their instruments, while carrying on some kind of conversation. I also managed to notice that all the guys were courting girls and young women, which is a reflection of etiquette. The children's faces expressed only polite interest in the conversation. I wonder if they really are like that or if they are masks worn both voluntarily and by force.

Well, Ravenclaw is an island of peace and tranquility. The schoolchildren of this house were not in the habit of talking. Only a few students had a leisurely conversation. There were also those who read books. House of singles, it's about us, and it's also what I need. Where to hide a book if not in the library? The same thing applies to me, a thirst for knowledge and learning something new, along with alienation. Perfect.

The dinner itself lasted about an hour. The abundance of food was pleasing to the eye. I will have somewhere to get energy for my body, but for ordinary children the food is definitely too fatty and heavy. Meat food predominated. Vegans can't live here...

This is the Celebration Dinner at Hogwarts.

Now we, newly admitted to Ravenclaw, were sitting in the common room of our house and waiting for our prefects, accompanied by the dean.

In general, our faculty is quite different from others. For example, to enter the living room you need to answer the question of the raven statue. And the questions are very different. As we approached the entrance to the living room, the headman answered the question. In the future, we will answer ourselves.

Just like the griffs, we lived in a tower. Slytherin lived in the dungeons, somewhere nearby near the lake. The Huffs lived next to the kitchen, which was located in the dungeons.

The living room of our faculty itself was made in the traditional colors of the faculty: blue and bronze. But it was done so as not to irritate the children's eyes. It was spacious, it had a fireplace near which there were sofas and chairs, and there were tables at which schoolchildren were currently sitting.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of people entering the living room. These were the elders and the professor.

"Children," said Anthony Goldstein, one of the prefects. - I ask for your attention.

After waiting until all the children turned their gaze to him, he continued.

-Congratulations on your admission to Hogwarts, and I also congratulate you on your admission to our Ravenclaw house.

"The colors of our faculty: blue and bronze," Penelope Crystal, the head girl from the girls' side, took the floor. - Eagle coat of arms.

"Blue, like any other color, has a double meaning – positive and negative," Flitwick took the floor. - The influence it has on the human psyche largely depends on the specific shade and degree of saturation. Thus, light colors, such as blue and light blue, carry a positive mood. Their contemplation brings peace and relaxation and helps relieve stress. Blue is even considered a slightly frivolous and frivolous color, take, for example, the well-known expression "blue dream", meaning something unlikely and unrealizable.

He fell silent and gave the children time to think about what he had said.

-Blue color. The founder herself gave two meanings to this shade, as well as to our faculty. Indigo is a deep rich blue color. It is usually identified with a high level of mental development and higher knowledge. For example, intellectually gifted children are called "indigo children." We are all indigo children, aren't we? – the professor said, winking at us while smiling broadly.

The children heard his glory. Of course we are all special. A good psychological trick, because if you tell children that they are special, without overdoing it, then they will try to live up to these words. Smart.

But there is another side to the coin," the professor continued without a smile. -Dark blue color has a more negative meaning. In our subconscious, it is associated with turbulent sea waves, fraught with danger and a threat to life. As they say, don't make a fuss while it's quiet. So it is with us. Outwardly, we are harmless, the usual faculty of nerds, aren't we? Don't be offended by the phrases: bookworm, nerd faculty. This is who we are," the professor smiled again. "But if others have crossed the line, respond fully." With all my might.

He fell silent again. It turns out interesting. If you are insulted, then endure it, but if you cross the line, hit with all your might. What is this? The director's policy or our professor's move?

"Bronze," Flitwick continued. – Symbol of earth and progress. Why progress? In the Bronze Age, it was bronze that became the impetus for development. After all, mixing two different metals turned out to be quite simple. What if it's not just metal? Maybe something else? For example, mana? Earth - we owe the earth. No matter what anyone says, she gave birth to us. We will go to her.

Here's my question. Earth, we will all go to it. Is this a reference to necromancy? I once read that Rowena was a necromancer. You will need to look for books on this topic.

-Eagle, what does it symbolize? Anyone have a guess? – none of the children wanted to answer, fear of being wrong? - No? Sadly. But I know for sure who can, if not answer, then at least guess. Calder, would you mind answering?

Flitwick looked at me, smiling. Only the devils in his eyes gave him away. Did you do something nasty to your heart? What are you up to, professor?

"Why not, professor," I answered, with a wave of the professor's hand, I walked up to him and, turning to face the living room, began to expound my theory. – Blue, bronze and eagle. I would say it a little differently. Sky, earth and bird. Why do you think?

Looking at the first ones, I realized that I myself would have to take the rap. You won't be able to throw this burden on someone else. Crap. The professor planted the pig. And he's such a bastard, standing next to him and smiling.

"Eh, it didn't work out," I whispered barely audibly, and Flitwick only smiled wider. -What is a bird for you? An animal, a symbol of knowledge or a symbol of something unattainable for us humans? No. The bird is a symbol of freedom. It is found both on earth and in heaven. She flies where there is no way for any of the representatives of the fauna living there on earth. So are we. Having entered the Faculty of Smarties, we had a chance to become this bird. What is it like to fly where there is no one? Look down on all those who cannot afford it? Isn't this wonderful? And there is only one thing this can give us – knowledge. Only them and nothing else. Am I right, professor?

I fell silent. All eyes in the living room were directed towards me. With this mini-lecture, I partially cut off my path as an inconspicuous loner. Now I have to live up to the speech I made. There are both pros and cons to this. But more on that later.

-*Clap-clap* Bravo, Mr. Wilson. "Bravo," Flitwick told me, clapping his hands. His serious gaze was focused on me and only me. – An incredible theory and I stick to it. Nothing inspires you in this world like knowledge. And you understand that," having said this, he looked at me for a few more seconds, and then turned to the rest of the living room. - That's right, children. Are we perhaps the same birds that will fly high? Or will we become scrambled eggs on someone else's table? Everything depends on you and your efforts.

All the children were silent. Most of them imagined themselves in the role of "birds" flying above the others, but only a few thought about the second part of the statement. And relevant questions arose. How not to become scrambled eggs and whose table it could be. One phrase, but so many questions arose after it.

-Shall we continue? – the professor asked a rhetorical question. -Our house. Every house has a ghost that is responsible for it. In our case, this is the Gray Lady. If you happen to get lost, you can call her. As a rule, she always helps people from our house. You can try to talk to her, but no one has been able to do this. Although there are legends that some people succeeded. Personally, I have not found confirmation of this," after a moment of silence, he turned to the elders. - Mr. Goldstein, Miss Crystal, I leave the faculty in your care. If you have any questions, you know where to find me. Good night, faculty.

Having said this, he left the living room.

The elders, having quietly discussed something among themselves, continued their lecture.

"Well," said Anthony. - Let's continue where we left off. Our dean Filius Flitwick told you about the colors and coat of arms. I say right away - don't bother him over trifles. Although he is kind, but if you anger him, he will be worse than Snape, this is the dean of Slytherin. It's better not to mess with him at all.

"The Faculty of Ravens, that's what they call us," Miss Crystal continued. –Our faculty is famous for its thirst for knowledge and discoveries.

"Knowledge is the greatest treasure of our world," Anthony continued. -As you all know, they are not divided into good and evil. Knowledge is knowledge.

"You may have questions or problems during the first month," the girl took the floor. -You can freely contact your senior comrades. They will help.

Interesting clarification. The first month, that is, further, they will not help you for nothing. Apparently, to help us we need to either get interested or, sadly, pay. And I feel the value is not only money, but also knowledge.

-You will live in rooms alone, but if you want, you can have more. After all, we are all individualists," the guy said.

-Boys live on the right, girls on the left. In your first year, your rooms are on the first floor. Every year your rooms will move to a higher floor. Entrance to the women's section is limited.

-In the first two weeks, Miss Crystal or I will accompany you to classes. You won't be able to get lost. We'll show you the library tomorrow, otherwise we know you, fly there right away. They were the same.

Everyone smiled. Yes, the attitude towards knowledge is the same here.

"Also," said Crystal, "our living room has its own mini-library," she pointed to a row of bookcases. –I strongly recommend reading the books that are on these shelves. I repeat, I HIGHLY recommend reading it. I hope you understand.

All the children nodded their heads vigorously. Curious what's on the shelves? I'll have to look at it in the morning.

"Faculty politics is another important detail of our life," Anthony took the floor. –As some people know, there are two political fronts at school. Gryffindor and Slytherin. I won't tell you, you still won't understand much, but I will say one thing. Our faculty is neutral. You yourself, personally, are free to be friends with whomever you want and do what you want, but this does not apply to the faculty. Have I made myself clear? We are neutral.

Abstinence policy? Interesting, that's basically what I thought. The faculty of smart people is mostly far from politics. Another reason to come here.

-Have questions?

We were silent. I raised my hand.

-Yes, Mr. Wilson, right?

-Yes, Miss Crystal, you are right. I have a question. Schedule. What is it or when will it be known?

-Good question. At the moment it is unknown, we will tell you it tomorrow before breakfast. Are there any other questions?

-Yes. The first is electives. Do they exist? If yes, which ones?

- We have electives at school. The main ones, so to speak, are mandatory, they start from the 3rd year. Their list includes Runes, Numerology, Care of Magical Creatures, Muggle Studies and Divination. You will have the opportunity to study 3 subjects from the above. I repeat, only 3. Otherwise, you will not be able to get to one of them.

-You said mandatory ones, but are there others?

-That's right, there are others. Each professor has his own personal electives. For example, our dean Filius Flitwick. He teaches the Advanced Charms elective. So do other professors. But getting there is not easy. You must interest the professor, and he himself will invite you. There is no other way to get there. Are there any other questions?

"The last one, if I may," I continued to an encouraging nod. – Independent practice of magic, or the practice of spells. Whichever is convenient for you. Is it possible? If yes, where exactly?

"Alas, according to school rules, we are prohibited from practicing magic in the school corridors," everyone became slightly despondent. -But we are not forbidden to cast magic in classes. So you can find an empty classroom and study there. Nobody forbids it, but only until lights out. Afterwards you should be in the living room. More questions? No? Then to the bedrooms. Good night. And once again, congratulations on your admission.

Going into my room, which made me sincerely happy, I quickly undressed and went to bed. All my things were already in the room, the house elves did their best.