chapter 63

Accepting them, each teen said, "Thank you, Professor."

"Alright, then," he said. "You may return to your meal and I'll collect you when your apartment is ready.

"Thank you, Professor," each said again as they headed back to the Ravenclaw table.

Sitting down, Harry said, "Well, that went well."

"I'm ever so pleased," said Hermione, a little excited.

"Don't get your hopes up, just yet," said Harry. "It's not to say we can actually have a four bedroom apartment. He only said he'd try to see if one was available."

"Still," said Daphne. "It's nice he's even willing to go that far."

"I think he might be trying to apologise over... you know," said Harry.

"True," said Daphne. "But, as Hermione said, it's nice all the same."

After dessert, where Luna was obviously very happy to find pudding as one of the dishes served, Professor Flitwick approached the three again and asked, "Ready?"

"Definitely, Sir," replied Harry with an almost-sigh.

The three rose and followed the Professor from the Hall.

Walking in silence, the Professor led them all the way up to the seventh floor and over to the west side of the castle; before leading them to the entrance to the Ravenclaw tower.

Walking to an alcove where stood an eagle with it's wings widespread as if launch in flight on a tall pedestal, the Professor explained, "The entrance to the Ravenclaw common room is through here. The eagle will ask you a riddle... which you have to solve... before you'll be allowed in. I suggest you come back and explore when you have chance; as, for example, the Ravenclaw library is quite unique."

Harry could see Hermione about to ask a battery of questions, and quickly placed his hand on her shoulder. When she glanced up at him a little curious and annoyed, he gently shook his head and mouthed, 'Later'.

She sighed with a look of slight regret before she sadly nodded her head in agreement.

The little Professor led them down the same passageway before he came to another alcove along the same wall. This time it was almost completely filled against the back of the wall with a life-sized statue of a scholarly looking man.

Looking up at the face of it, Professor Flitwick said, "Good evening, Professor Whittaker."

The statue suddenly tilted its head down to look back at the Professor and said, "Good evening, Professor Flitwick. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"These three are for the apartment behind," replied the Charms Master.

The statue then looked up and from one to the next of the three. He hesitated a moment and said, "Very well." And the statue stepped to the side to reveal a door, behind.

Professor Flitwick gave the statue a slight nod before stepping through and opening the door. The three teens followed him in with Harry bringing up the rear.

Once the three were inside, Harry closed the door behind him as the Professor began to describe the features of the apartment. They were standing in a 'living' room similar to the one over near the Gryffindor tower. However, this one was trimmed in blues and bronzes.

On the far, outside, wall there was a large fireplace with two large windows either side. Harry immediately noticed Hedwig's portable roost was sitting next to the one on the right similarly placed to how it was in the Gryffindor apartment. And Crookshanks was curled up on one of the armchairs, apparently asleep.

The big difference - besides the twinned windows - was there was also four study carrels or stations; with two either side of the entrance door and along the front wall.

"As you requested, this apartment has four bedrooms," instructed the Professor and drawing their attention back to him, and to the indicated two doors on each side. "Each has it's own bathroom beyond that."

Indicating the large fireplace in the centre of the outside wall, he said, "There is a Floo connection in here. However, for the time being, it is only connected with a protective password. You may not use it to leave the castle without prior permission; and you may not use it to bring family or friends into the castle. They must enter the castle, as per usual, through the main gates; unless they've made arrangements to arrive or leave through the private office of one of the Professors.

"All other rules, as per your time within one of the Gryffindor apartments, applies. One of you will need to set a password with Professor Whittaker, outside," the Professor said, turning to face the three of them. "My office is in the same place, further along the corridor at the base of the west tower. If you need anything that needs my attention, please don't hesitate to come and knock on my door."

As the three teens responded in the affirmative, the Professor said, "And, with that, I shall bid you good night and see you at breakfast." Before he departed.

Turning back to face the two girls, Harry saw they were moving about the room doing their detection charms again. So, instead of waiting, he ducked out through the door and, after checking for anyone listening in with a wand swish and a mutter of Hominem Revealo, set the same password as they had on their previous apartment.

When he walked back in, the girls had moved into the bedrooms and were casting their detection charms. So, Harry just waited them out.

Curious, he moved over to the room which would have been his in the Gryffindor suite, and stuck his head in to have a look.

Sure enough, from what he could see, this was 'his' room. He moved over to the bed and immediately enlarged it ready for sleeping.

He rejoined the girls in the living room and asked, "Well?"

"There was a very old listening charm in here affixed to the centre coffee table," Daphne replied. "I don't think it had anything to do with us or the current staff. So, I removed it."

"Other than that, we're good," said Hermione. "Just as Daphne did with the other apartment, I've set up an alert ward on the door that'll alert us if anyone comes into the apartment when we're not here."

With a nod of acknowledgement, Harry said, "Well, I've found my room. I take it your stuff has been moved into the corresponding rooms here, as they were back there?"

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