After the Sorting Ceremony, Dumbledore stood up, his silver-white beard shimmering in the candlelight. He gently waved his wand, and a string of golden notes appeared out of thin air, swirling around the Great Hall.
"The Hogwarts school song, you can choose any tune you like," he winked. "My favorite version is to the tune of a funeral march."
A ripple of laughter went through the Great Hall. Kevin Hawthorne stood by the Ravenclaw long table, his eyes slightly narrowed. He saw Dumbledore's magic flowing like a vast galaxy, profound and unfathomable.
The school song's melody was chaotic; some sang loudly, others hummed softly. Fred Weasley and George Weasley even dragged out each syllable to the tune of a funeral march, causing Professor McGonagall to frown deeply.
When the song ended, Dumbledore smiled and announced, "It's time for bed. Prefects, please lead the new students to their dormitories."
Ravenclaw's prefect, Robert Hilliard, a tall, curly-haired fifth-year with hazel eyes, stood up and pushed his gold-rimmed glasses up his nose. His voice carried the characteristic reserve of Ravenclaw: "New students, follow along. I hope your minds can keep up with your feet."
Following the prefect through the intricate staircases, they finally reached their destination.
The entrance to Ravenclaw Tower was just an ancient archway, with a bronze eagle knocker hanging on it.
Robert stopped in front of the door, and the knocker suddenly spoke, its voice deep and hoarse:
"What is the beginning of wisdom?"
The new students exchanged glances. Kevin didn't rush to answer, but instead observed the flow of Magic on the knocker. Runes flickered on the bronze surface, as if waiting for a true answer, not a simple recitation.
"Curiosity?" a boy tentatively said.
The knocker was silent.
"Knowledge?" another girl guessed.
Still no response.
Robert stood with his arms crossed, a faint smile playing on his lips, and his eyes behind his glasses sparkled with amusement.
Kevin pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke: "Acknowledging ignorance."
The knocker seemed to pause, then its deep voice echoed: "Reasonable."
The archway slowly opened, revealing a spiral staircase.
Robert nodded slightly: "Not bad. At least this year isn't a group of new students who can only memorize. Remember, in Ravenclaw, we value the process of thinking, not just the correct answer."
The Ravenclaw common room was a circular room with a dome as deep as the night sky, twinkling with starlight. The walls were covered with portraits of famous Wizards throughout history, who conversed in low voices, occasionally casting scrutinizing glances.
"The boys' dormitory is on the right," Robert pointed to the spiral staircase, his gold-rimmed glasses reflecting the candlelight. "Ravenclaw has no curfew, but I suggest you remain quiet, unless your discovery is worth disturbing others' sweet dreams."
Kevin followed the other boys up the stairs, then arrived at a wooden door carved with star patterns.
Pushing open the door, the dormitory inside was circular, with five four-poster beds arranged in a circle, deep blue curtains embroidered with silver star trails. Outside the window was the shimmering surface of Black Lake, moonlight reflecting through the water, casting dancing shadows on the stone walls.
Their trunks had already been sent up. Four Young Wizards who had been sorted together were standing in the dormitory.
Kevin was the first to break the silent atmosphere: "I'm Kevin Hawthorne, from a Muggle family."
A boy with reddish-brown curly hair and freckles immediately jumped up, practically bouncing over to Kevin, and extended his hand.
"Hey! Hello, I'm Wesley Cruz! I'm also from a Muggle family."
Kevin shook his hand.
"That's great! I was worried it would be all pure-blood Wizards here, and no one would understand my Muggle stuff! Oh, by the way, do you know 'video games'?"
Kevin nodded: "Yes, but you probably can't play them here. Electronic devices can't be used."
The black-haired boy among the remaining two said: "I'm Fabian Brian. I'm from a mixed-blood family. My mom is a Wizard, and my dad is dentist."
The last boy, with blonde hair, heard their conversation and frowned slightly. Then he said flatly: "Ernesto Griffiths, pure-blood."
A brief silence fell over the room.
Wesley tentatively said: "Uh… so, your family is one of those very old Wizard families?"
Ernesto glanced at him: "The Griffiths family's history can be traced back to the Middle Ages."
Kevin interjected: "Then your family must have a lot of Magic books, right?"
Ernesto was momentarily stunned, seemingly not expecting Kevin to ask that.
Ernesto raised his chin slightly: "Of course, our family has many Magic books, and many about Dark Arts and Alchemy."
"Perfect, I'm very interested in Alchemy. Maybe we can exchange notes later," Kevin nodded.
Ernesto stared at Kevin for a few seconds, seemingly evaluating his intentions, but Kevin's expression remained calm.
Ernesto lightly snorted: "…If you can keep up."
The dormitory gradually quieted down, and the four of them tidied their beds. Outside the window, owls soared past the Tower, and moonlight spilled onto the floor.
After washing up, Kevin sat at the desk by the window, unfolded a piece of parchment, dipped his quill in ink, and began to write a letter:
"Dear Mom, Dad, and Lily:
I hope you are all well! I'm currently writing this letter in the Ravenclaw common room. Outside the window is Hogwarts's Black Lake, and the moonlight shines through the water, like flowing silver gauze. Hogwarts is even more magical than I imagined. I have to tell you all about today's experiences.
After I walked through that wall, there was another platform with a deep red steam engine. The carriages were full of Young Wizards. I met a few classmates; they were all second-years: Cedric from Hufflepuff, and a pair of red-haired Gryffindor twins, Fred Weasley and George Weasley. They were playing pranks the whole way, making chocolate frogs jump everywhere.
When we arrived, we followed a Giant named Hagrid (he's at least ten feet tall!) and took small boats across the Black Lake. In the night, Hogwarts Castle was brightly lit, its tower spires like sharp swords piercing the starry sky. Lily, you'd love the moving staircases; they're like living things, turning in different directions from time to time.
The Great Hall ceiling was enchanted to look exactly like the night sky outside. Professor McGonagall (the Deputy Principal, as strict as a ruler) led us in line to wait for the Sorting. Hogwarts has four Houses: Gryffindor represents courage and daring, Hufflepuff represents loyalty and diligence, Ravenclaw represents wisdom and learning, and Slytherin represents cunning and ambition.
I was finally sorted into Ravenclaw House.
Our common room is in the highest Tower, and you have to answer a riddle from a bronze door knocker to get in. The dormitory is circular, with star patterns embroidered on the bed curtains, and you can see a giant squid swimming in the Black Lake from the window.
Tomorrow I have my first Charms Class and Transfiguration Class. I'll write again when I have time!
Love, Kevin"
He folded the letter, sealed it with wax, and prepared to have Phobos deliver it tomorrow morning.
It was late, and his roommates had long since fallen asleep. Kevin lay on his bed, gazing at the starlight on the dome, his thoughts drifting far away.
What exactly was that Professor observing?
Meanwhile, inside the Defense Against the Dark Arts Class Professor's office.
Candlelight flickered as Professor Victor Eisenberg sat at a carved wooden desk, his pale fingers gently tapping the surface. His black eye patch absorbed the surrounding light, and several strands of black Magic threads were coiled around his left wrist.
Outside the window, a pitch-black raven silently landed, holding an unsigned letter in its beak.
Professor Victor opened the envelope; there was only one line on the paper:
"How is the observation progressing? — N.F."
His lips curved slightly. He lightly tapped his wand, and the letter paper ignited with a ghostly blue flame, turning to ash in an instant.
"Patience, Nicolas," he murmured to himself, his gaze directed towards Ravenclaw Tower, "Let me see what this lucky fellow's talent truly is."