Chapter -4

Disclaimer:- I don't own anything!

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"So you better be..... RAVENCLAW."

For a moment, I thought maybe I heard wrong, but then the words truly registered in my brain. I was happy and angry; this damned hat was playing pranks on me. That too during the sorting and after seeing my plans.

"I will burn you to ashes one day," I told the hat.

The hat laughed, it laughed, "Let's not get too hasty, Mr. Phillips. Now go on, I have other kids to sort."

I removed the hat from my head and gave it to Professor McGonagall. The Ravenclaw table was clapping politely, as were the others. I noticed my robes had turned blue to signify my house. I went down to the table and sat near the end. I saw Terry Boot sitting across from me. I could also see Michael Corner and Anthony Goldstein sitting nearby, having been sorted into Ravenclaw earlier.

We waved and introduced ourselves, but our attention was quickly diverted when McGonagall called Harry Potter up for sorting. It was like I was in the movie; all noise died down, and people started talking in hushed tones, guessing which house would have the honor of having the Boy-Who-Lived. Although I knew what would happen, the anticipation was getting to me as well. It had been a few minutes already.

Finally, the hat shouted, "Better be Gryffindor!!!", and the students of the red and gold house lost it. Except for Slytherin, everyone was clapping enthusiastically, but the Gryffindors were definitely overboard with the celebrations. The Weasleys started shouting, "We got Potter, we got Potter," at the top of their voices. It took Professor McGonagall another 5 minutes to get control over her Lions.

Harry was welcomed with open arms and big smiles at the Gryffindor table, and he sat between Percy Weasley and one of the twins. I could see they started asking him questions straight away. The sorting, in the meanwhile, was about to finish. Ron went to Gryffindor, so did Zoe Winters, and Blaise Zabini getting sorted into Slytherin finally brought the ceremony to its closure.

I finally turned my head towards the High Table. On a gold-plated throne sat Albus Dumbledore; to his right was his deputy, Professor McGonagall, followed by Professor Flitwick and Professor Snape. On the other end sat Hagrid, drinking heavily from his cup, and a few others that I could not remember. I looked down at my empty gold plate. I was really hungry now; the treats on the train were so long ago.

Albus Dumbledore had gotten to his feet. He was beaming at the students, with a twinkle in his eyes. Huh, that must be something that was done with magic. His arms opened wide, as if nothing could have pleased him more than to see them all there.

"Welcome!" he said. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!

"Thank you!"

He sat back down. Everybody clapped and cheered. Well, I guess old people do become mad when they get on in their years. He was still better than most, though.

"Is he a bit mad?" It was Goldstein who asked this to a senior sitting near us.

"Mad?" asked the senior, "Maybe slightly eccentric, but not mad, no. He is a genius! Best wizard in the world! You may want to start eating."

I noticed that all of our attention was on the Prefect, and in this small time, the food had appeared on the table. A feast indeed. My mouth salivated at seeing the different types of food. A bit greasy, to be fair, but I guess I could enjoy myself today. I could always go to the kitchen and talk to the elves to give me a slightly altered meal. The little buggers would probably be happier at that. But for that, I need to find the Hufflepuff common room, which can't be now, so I put a little bit of everything on my plate. From roast chicken to bacon and steak, from Yorkshire pudding to ketchup, and of course, fries and even peppermint humbugs.

As we ate, conversation flowed. Terry Boot asked, "It's all amazing, isn't it?"

"It is. Hogwarts: A History doesn't do justice to the awe and splendor of this castle," replied Goldstein.

"When will we get the schedule for the classes?" I asked the senior who answered us earlier.

"Name's Robert Hilliard, kid, and you will get your schedule tomorrow morning from Professor Flitwick. He is our head of house."

Robert Hilliard. Wasn't he the Ravenclaw prefect for the first two years along with Penelope Clearwater? Well, that was convenient, and I could see the others had started listening in to us.

"Do we really have our own library in the dorms?" I asked. Now I definitely had all the Ravenclaw first-years listening. I could see Padma Patil shift a little towards us to hear the response. Gods, we really were a bunch of nerds, weren't we?

"Excited to start studying, aren't you? I am one of your Prefects, and we will answer your questions once we reach the Ravenclaw tower," he replied, "For now, enjoy the feast, kid."

I could sense the disappointment of my housemates, but the conversation was closed.

The feast eventually wound down, and once the desserts disappeared as well, Albus Dumbledore stood up again.

"Ahem – just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you."

"First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well."

Dumbledore's twinkling eyes flashed in the direction of the Weasley twins.

"I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors."

"Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch."

"And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."

I could not help but gape at the last statement. The school was filled with curious little children, and the best way to have their attention was to announce to them that they can't have something. Then I remembered the revolving stairs of the school, and I thought he probably trusted Hogwarts itself to make sure no one went to the third floor. After all, any curious students could just be re-routed to another floor or corridor by the moving stairs.

"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" cried Dumbledore. I noticed the other teachers' smiles had become rather fake.

Dumbledore gave his wand a little flick as if he was trying to get a fly off the end, and a long golden ribbon flew out of it, which rose high above the tables and twisted itself, snakelike, into words.

"Everyone pick their favorite tune," said Dumbledore, "and off we go!"

And the school bellowed:

"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,

Teach us something please,

Whether we be old and bald

Or young with scabby knees,

Our heads could do with filling

With some interesting stuff,

For now they're bare and full of air,

Dead flied and bits of fluff,

So teach us things worth knowing,

Bring back what we've forgot,

Just do your best, we'll do the rest,

And learn until our brains all rot."

Everybody finished the song at different times. At last, only the Weasley twins were left singing along to a very slow funeral march. Dumbledore conducted their last few lines with his wand and when they had finished, he was one of those who clapped loudest.

"Ah, music," he said, wiping his eyes. "A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"

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Ravenclaw's first years followed Robert and another Prefect who I could only guess was Penelope through the crowds and towards the Ravenclaw Tower. I yawned; I was full, tired, and sleepy. I was already imagining my bed and hoping for good, pleasant dreams. As we climbed higher and higher, the air seemed to grow crisper, and the paintings on the walls became more abstract and whimsical.

"Don't worry if you get lost in the first few days," Robert said, looking back at us with a reassuring smile. "Hogwarts has a way of guiding you where you need to go. And if you're ever really stuck, just ask a ghost or a portrait for help."

Finally, we reached the top of a spiraling staircase and stood before a large, ornately carved door with an eagle-shaped knocker. Robert turned to us, a twinkle in his eye.

"This is the entrance to the Ravenclaw common room," he explained. "Unlike the other houses, we don't have a password. Instead, you have to answer a riddle to get in. It keeps us sharp and encourages us to think."

He lifted the knocker and let it fall. The eagle's beak opened, and a serene, melodious voice emerged from it. "What has roots as nobody sees, is taller than trees, up, up it goes, and yet never grows?"

The Prefects and the older students were quiet. They wanted one of us to try. I racked my brain, thinking of the answer. Terry Boot beat me to it, his face lighting up as he exclaimed, "A mountain!"

"Correct," the knocker responded, and the door swung open to reveal the Ravenclaw common room.

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The common room was breathtaking. It was a large, airy space with arched windows that offered a stunning view of the mountains and the Black Lake. The room was filled with comfortable armchairs, bookshelves overflowing with books, and tables for studying. A softly glowing blue fire crackled in the fireplace, casting a gentle light around the room. On the ceiling, enchanted stars twinkled, creating a serene and magical atmosphere.

"Welcome to your new home," Penelope said warmly. "Girls' dormitories are to the right, boys' to the left. Your things should already be there. Get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a big day."

I made my way to the boys' dormitory, feeling a sense of contentment and excitement. The dormitory was cozy, with four-poster beds draped in blue and bronze hangings. My trunk was already at the foot of my bed.

I changed into my pajamas and slipped into bed, pulling the curtains around me. As I lay there, listening to the sounds of my new housemates settling in, I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and anticipation. This was just the beginning of my journey at Hogwarts, and I was determined to make the most of every moment.

With a smile on my face, I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep, ready for whatever adventures awaited me in the days to come.