A Journey At Hogwarts

III. In Trouble Already

Warnings: Bullying, house discrimination.

"The feast is over now. All first years Ravenclaws, follow me to proceed to the Ravenclaw common room," An older boy, with bags hanging from his eyes, waved to gather their attention. A sea of blues and blacks get up, and follow him, "My name is Chester Davis and I am one your prefects. If you have any problems please come to me."

He talked about Hogwarts as they walked past statues and paintings, only outlining a brief history. Naturally, Rowan whispered to Juniper in greater detail the past of Hogwarts. They shushed a couple of times but Juniper found it fascinating to learn about the artists and founders. They continued onwards to the many stairs, up to the fifth floor and west of Hogwarts to reach the Ravenclaw tower. Once at the entrance, stood a bronze door. It was without any knobs or handles nor even a keyhole to be sighted. Only a bronze eagle knocker was displayed on the door.

"Um, excuse me Chester?" One of the first years piped up.

"Yes, Karasu."

"How do we get into the common rooms?" She asked what everyone thought but dared not to say out loud.

"Excellent question, I was about to get there," The corner of his lips turned ever so slightly, "Watch and learn, as this is how you will get in and out of the common room."

He faces the bronze eagle as it opens its beak to speak, "The more of me you have, the longer your life. The more of me you have, the less you have left."

Chester looks around, "Does anyone know what the answer is?"

He was testing them, which makes sense since, after all, Chester and the other prefects cannot look after them forever. Better if they learned now rather than later. Rowan's hand shot straight up, begging to be picked. Chester waited a few more seconds in case anyone else had the answer but alas he caved into and picked Rowan.

"Birthdays!" She answered.

"Correct!" The eagle acknowledged and opened the door for them. The common room was circular, scattered about are cosy, blue armchairs and bookshelves at the back. Mahogany desks ready to be used and studied upon are there. The most impressive, Juniper noted, was the ceiling. It twinkled with stars into an endless void of the night sky. She noticed further back to the bookshelves a statue of Rowena Ravenclaw, the founder.

"Ugh, another Moss?" Juniper heard one whisper, breaking her out of her dream bubble.

"What's she doing here?" Another whispered. A third chimed in, "Hufflepuff should've taken her in. They always take in the charity cases."

Juniper held her head up high. She won't allow them to see her break. No, she wasn't here for them. The sorting hat placed her here to help her find Jacob. A fourth-year girl with the prefect badge shining in their face showed up.

"Hi, I'm Heather Finch and I'm your other prefect," She introduced herself, "All first year girls, follow me to your dorm rooms."

The five girls gathered around Heather while the first-year boys were taken downstairs first by Chester to their dorm rooms. She guided them up and into a blue room, with five posters beds around the room. Their trunks and suitcases were placed in the middle of the room. Each could claim a bed, that will be theirs for the next seven years. Rowan and Juniper quickly bagged ones right next to each other. Alvina took one on the other side of Rowan while Badeea and the other girl, Tulip, claimed the last two. Alvina and Rowan were busy sorting out their clothes while the other three chucked through to find their pyjamas, leaving a mess in the midst.

"I guess we never properly introduce ourselves," Said Badeea as she unwrapped her headscarf. It's safe for her to do so in the presence of female company. She recalled her grandmother, Jadda, as she preferred to be called, in Algeria doing the same and even taught her how to wrap it properly, "I'm Badeea Ali."