Chương 37: Chapter 38 : House Tower

The hall fell into silence as the headmaster cleared his throat.

"Ahem – 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 Forbidden Forest is strictly off-limits. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well." His eyes flicked for an instant towards the Weasley twins at the Gryffindor table as he said that.

"Why can't we go into the forest?" Terry whispered beside him.

"Because it's called Forbidden," Anthony replied with a sigh. Dumbledore continued.

"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 term. Anyone interested in playing for their House team 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." Laughter rippled through the Great Hall at his words. Most of the first-years clearly took the old headmaster's warning as nothing more than a harmless joke. Tyson couldn't help but find that cute. If only they knew the old codger had placed a literal Cerberus there. Professor McGonagall hadn't lied.

Hogwarts truly had an impressive commitment to children's safety. The thought of the beast stirred something deep within him, though. Maybe it was his American genes acting up, but Tyson suddenly had the urge to pet the giant dog. Sure, it was a colossal three-headed monster capable of tearing a man apart, but… it was also a dog! And at the end of the day, all dogs were friendly, protective, loyal, and playful. They just needed the right owner to bring out those traits. Tyson felt like he could be that owner.

Just imagining showing up to breakfast with a literal Cerberus padding along beside him gave him a boner. Yup, he had decided. He was absolutely going to save Fluffy from the evil clutches of Dumbledore and Voldy. Only he could give Fluffy the life the cute big thing deserved!

"And now," Dumbledore went on, his eyes twinkling, "before we go to bed, let us sing the school song! Everyone pick your favourite tune, and off we go!" He gave his wand a little flick, and a long golden ribbon shot from the tip. It soared high above the tables and twisted itself into shimmering lyrics.

"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 Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. With some interesting stuff…" Everyone sang the most off-key, horrendous, over-the-top rendition of a song Tyson had ever heard. He felt like his ears were being cursed. Given the expressions on Michael's and Anthony's faces, they felt the same way.

Terry, however, sang along with the crowd with glee. And surprisingly, his voice was actually quite good. Tyson felt that if Terry turned out to suck at magic, he could totally make a career as a singer in the Muggle world. He was that good. The song continued.

"For now they're bare and full of air, Dead flies 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." When the song finally ended, Dumbledore looked deeply satisfied.

"It's time for bed," he announced.

"Prefects, please lead the new students to their dormitories." They all scrambled to their feet and clustered around their prefect, Penelope Clearwater, who began shepherding them through the chattering crowds, out of the Great Hall, and up the marble staircase.... The legendary moving staircases of Hogwarts completely deserved their reputation. They were practically an architect's wet dream. Their group climbed. And climbed. And climbed some more.

But the stairs refused to end, stretching upward in impossible directions. Flights branched toward distant landings, each revealing another corridor disappearing into the depths of the castle and another staircase spiraling even higher. Occasionally, they crossed paths with students from the other Houses heading in entirely different directions before vanishing down corridors of their own. He'd given up trying to memorize the route after the third… or maybe fourth… moving staircase. Actually…

had the staircase beneath his feet just shifted? He wasn't even sure anymore. If someone stopped him right now and asked him where the Great Hall was, he wouldn't have had the faintest idea. Eventually, after what felt like half an hour of trekking, they reached the fifth floor. He saw everyone's eyes lighting up… until they saw Penelope silently turn toward a narrow spiral staircase tucked inside a circular tower.

'Oh yeah.' Ravenclaw had a tower. A collective groan rose from every first-year.

"Don't tell me there's more," Terry wheezed beside him.

"I can't feel my legs anymore." With varying degrees of despair, they began climbing once again. Terry hadn't been exaggerating. Halfway up, his legs completely gave out, and Tyson had to sling an arm around him for support. Anthony and Michael were holding up, but their shaking legs told him they couldn't last much longer either. Several other first-years looked to be in much the same state.

'Pathetic.' Tyson made a mental note to introduce his new friends to a couple of physical exercises before winter. He couldn't have them possessing the resilience of wet parchment forever. Ideal wizards should be strong, both in mind and body. By the time they finally reached the top, several students had collapsed against the wall, breathing heavily. At the end of the staircase stood a weird wooden door. It had no handle, lock, or keyhole. There was only a bronze eagle-shaped knocker on it. Tyson remembered.

To enter the Ravenclaw common room, one had to answer a riddle. A pretty weird and weak locking system, to be honest.

'Doesn't that mean anyone can break into our common room as long as they correctly answer the riddle? And these riddles shouldn't even be that difficult if generations of eleven-year-olds have managed to answer them.' Tyson at least hoped there was some defense mechanism to prevent that. Otherwise he would be very disappointed with the house known for its intelligence. As Penelope stepped forward, the eagle turned its head and opened its beak.

"What is long, hard, responds best to a gentle touch, and every eleven-year-old dreams of getting their hands on?"

"..." Tyson's brain malfunctioned for a second.

'Excuse me?' Tyson felt like his ears were playing tricks on him. Did the Ravenclaw door just describe a dih? Penelope, meanwhile, didn't so much as raise an eyebrow.

"A wand," she answered concisely. The eagle nodded.

"Correct." With a solid click, the door swung inward. Tyson remained rooted to the spot. Realisation hit him like a wet cloth. He was an absolute idiot. Years of gooning had completely dirtfied his brain.

"Let's go, mate," Terry nudged him with an elbow, pulling him out of his thoughts. Tyson followed him inside absentmindedly.