Robert stood before the opened common room door, his thick black-rimmed glasses catching the starlight as he surveyed the cluster of young wizards with gentle curiosity.
"May I ask which underclassman provided that brilliant answer?"
"It was Leo! It was Leo!" Terry's voice cracked with excitement as he waved his hand enthusiastically, bouncing on his toes as if he had personally solved the riddle himself.
His enthusiastic shout immediately drew every pair of eyes toward Leo. Under the weight of their curious and surprised stares, Leo remained perfectly composed, his posture relaxed and confident.
Robert adjusted his glasses and suddenly flashed Leo an impressed thumbs up. "Remarkable, truly remarkable! That question would stump most third or fourth-year students, yet you solved it instantly."
"The Sorting Hat placing you in our Ravenclaw was absolutely perfect!" Robert's golden curls bounced as he raised his head proudly. "What did I tell you earlier? Eagle House produces the cleverest wizards in the castle!"
He gestured grandly toward the open doorway. "Come then, let us enter the Ravenclaw common room. This magnificent space will serve as your home for the next seven years."
Following Robert through the threshold, Leo's breath caught slightly at the breathtaking sight before him. The common room radiated ethereal beauty and scholarly elegance. Tall arched windows welcomed cascades of silver starlight, while the domed ceiling displayed ever-shifting constellation maps that seemed to pulse with their own inner light. Even the deep blue carpet sparkled with embroidered stars that caught the ambient glow.
The large circular chamber showcased Ravenclaw's signature colours through rich blue and bronze silk hangings that rippled gently in the night breeze. Scattered throughout the space, upperclassmen had claimed various corners and seating areas. Some engaged in intense discussions about advanced coursework, their voices creating a pleasant hum of intellectual discourse, while others practised complex wand movements with focused concentration.
Leo approached one of the towering arched windows, discovering a spectacular panoramic view that encompassed the moonlit Black Lake, the shadowy depths of the Forbidden Forest, the neat rows of greenhouses, and the expansive Quidditch pitch far below.
Truly worthy of Eagle House, Leo mused with satisfaction. Even their choice of location demonstrated superior strategic thinking.
The elevated position offered both expansive views and blessed quiet... precisely the environment conducive to serious study. Coming to Ravenclaw had definitely been the correct decision.
"Everyone, please direct your attention to this magnificent statue."
Robert raised his arm, guiding the first-years' gaze toward the white marble figure occupying the common room's centre. The sculpture depicted a beautiful woman whose expression balanced wisdom with stern authority. Though carved from stone, her eyes seemed remarkably lifelike, as if she were personally examining and encouraging each student who entered her domain.
"This is our esteemed house founder, Rowena Ravenclaw herself."
While the group admired Ravenclaw's statue and absorbed Robert's detailed account of her legendary accomplishments, Terry sidled closer to Leo with barely contained curiosity.
"Hey, Leo," he whispered urgently, "how exactly did you solve that riddle so quickly?"
Leo turned toward his eager roommate and offered a subtle hint: "Remember that all five wizards are supremely clever. Try working backwards... reason from the fifth wizard's position forward to the first."
Terry's brow furrowed in concentration as he absorbed this guidance. Like all children sorted into Ravenclaw, he possessed an insatiable love of learning and knowledge. Rather than simply accepting Leo's answer, Terry wanted to work through the logic himself using the provided hint.
"Today's introduction concludes here," Robert announced, raising his wand with practised ease. "These papers contain your room assignments. Please collect yours."
"If questions arise, you can find me directly in room 108."
With a graceful flick of his wand, dozens of paper slips erupted from Robert's pocket, each one floating precisely toward its intended recipient. The display of effortless silent magic earned Leo's respectful attention. Prefects who reached this level clearly possessed genuine skill.
"Leo, which dormitory did you receive?" Terry eagerly displayed his assignment slip.
"Room 226."
"What incredible luck! I'm also in 226!" Terry's grin stretched from ear to ear. "This is fantastic... what perfect timing!"
The two boys climbed the winding stone staircase to locate their shared accommodation. Upon entering room 226, they discovered their luggage had already been carefully arranged beside their designated beds.
Due to the tower's circular architecture, Ravenclaw dormitories proved the most compact among the four houses, necessitating the use of bunk beds to accommodate students efficiently. Each sleeping space featured deep blue curtains that could provide complete privacy when drawn closed.
Terry immediately began exploring their quarters with boyish enthusiasm. "Hey Leo, we've got a cozy double room here. A bit snug, but I kind of like it."
Leo nodded his agreement. While relatively small for shared accommodation, the intimate space would certainly prove quieter than larger dormitories.
"You choose first," Terry offered generously. "Top bunk or bottom bunk?"
"Top bunk, if you don't mind."
"Perfect! I actually prefer the bottom... much more convenient for midnight snack raids." Terry immediately vaulted onto the lower mattress, testing its softness with obvious satisfaction.
Settling back with his hands behind his head, Terry gazed up at the bed frame above. "I suppose our house simply has too many girls and not enough boys, so they squeeze us into these compact rooms."
He released a theatrical sigh. "Having so many girls around feels overwhelming sometimes. I can't really play with them properly... what am I supposed to do for the next seven years?"
Hearing Terry's typically boyish complaints, Leo glanced at him with hidden amusement. Perhaps in a few years, you'll be kissing the Sorting Hat in gratitude for placing you in this girl-abundant Eagle House.
If magical recording devices existed to capture these words and replay them later, that would prove quite entertaining. Unfortunately, Hogwarts' ancient enchantments interfered with most Muggle electronics.
Leo examined their bunk bed arrangement critically. While it couldn't compare to his spacious bedroom at Grafton Manor, the accommodations remained perfectly acceptable. After all, before his transmigration, he had survived school dormitories housing six or eight students in similar setups.
This was a magical world, after all. Simple sleeping arrangements represented a minor inconvenience at most. Eventually, he could master the Undetectable Extension Charm and simply expand their available space. Professor Flitwick, one of the current era's foremost Charms masters and their Head of House, would certainly provide guidance if requested.
After organising their belongings and completing their evening routines, Terry had already changed into comfortable pyjamas and settled onto his mattress.
"Leo, aren't you planning to sleep? We apparently have classes starting tomorrow morning."
Leo had positioned himself by the window, reading a thick volume titled "Common Potions Encyclopaedia" by the combined light of his bedside lamp and the brilliant stars beyond the glass.
"I'll rest after finishing this section."
Observing Leo's dedicated study posture, Terry released a soft, admiring sigh. "You work incredibly hard. Honestly, just thinking about learning actual magic tomorrow has me so excited I can barely contain myself, let alone focus on reading!"
Leo shook his head with a slight smile. "Reading has become second nature to me. It's actually quite relaxing."
"Oh, Leo," Terry added suddenly, "I still can't figure out that Galleon distribution problem. Could you walk me through the solution?"
Leo continued reading while explaining patiently: "Begin by considering the fifth wizard's position. No matter what proposal the fourth wizard presents, the fifth will reject it to claim all remaining gold for himself. Understanding this dynamic, consider the fourth wizard's strategic options, then work backward to the third wizard's position..."