The Raven's Call

Ravenclaw - First Class

Once the feast was over we were called by our prefect, Robert Hilliard to follow him towards the Grand Staircase, the Gryffindor heading up to the seventh floor, while the Slytherins head down towards the dungeon. We watch as the stairs move and change around us. "Ravenclaws, follow me." He announces, leading us up towards the fifth floor on the west side. We then head through a door and all the way up a spiral staircase.

We stand at a door, without a knob, or keyhole. But a bronze knocker in the shape of an eagle sits in the middle. We're instructed that in order to enter the room, a person must answer a riddle asked by the eagle knocker; if they answer incorrectly, they have to wait for someone else who gets it right.

"A cowboy rides into town on Friday, stays three days and leaves again on Friday, how does he do it?" The Eagle speaks. Robert turns to us first years. "Any of you know the answer?" He asks, and I immediately raise my hand. "His horses' name was Friday." I say confidently and the door slowly opens. The surrounding students clap as a blush forms on my cheeks. Robert then leads us inside.

The Ravenclaw common room is a wide, circular room with graceful arched windows that punctuates the walls which are hung with blue and bronze silks and a midnight blue carpet covered in stars, which is reflected onto the domed ceiling. The room is furnished with blue tables and chairs. Next to the door leading up to the dormitories stands a tall statue made of white marble. Portraits of famous Ravenclaws hang on the walls. And according to Robert, the sound of wind whistling around the windows of the tower is relaxing while going to sleep.

"Dormitories are boys on the right and girls on the left." Rob tells us first years prior to us disbanding for the night, exploring the common room before claiming our beds in the dorms. I pick the bed between two boys beds, named Michael Corner and Terry Boot, whom I become acquainted with rather quickly. I look over at the time, it's just gone past 10 o'clock and we have classes tomorrow. Time for bed.

***

Wednesday, September 4th 1991

I sleep in and miss breakfast, so it's about 8:30AM once I finally wake up. I get dressed into my new uniform and Ravenclaw robes and comb through my dark curls with my fingers before checking my class schedule. "Transfiguration." I read aloud, Bandit climbing into my pocket as I leave the dorm, picking up my books on the way. I say 'hi' to a few Ravenclaws before exiting the common room, making my way down the spiral staircase. I then open the door towards the grand staircase and walk out, a Gryffindor runs head first into me, my books tumble out of my hands as I fall on my butt. "Ow.." I mumble softly as I look up to see my attacker. "I'm so sorry! I was in such a rush I didn't even look where I was going!" He exclaims as he helps me back to my feet. "It-" I start to respond, as I bend down to pick up my books, but he quickly interrupts me. "Here, let me help you!"  He says, also leaning down to pick up the books, our heads colliding once again. 

"Good morning, Alexander." I say with a sigh, taking a step back before kneeling down to pick up my books. I quickly reach into my pocket, Bandit scurries out and up my arm. "Are you okay, little buddy?" I ask him, he cuddles up to my face in return. "I really am sorry, here, let me help." Alex says quietly and begins picking up some of the books before handing them over. "He's very cute! How old is he?" He asks, looking up at Bandit on my shoulder. "He's five.." I say softly, looking back at Alex now. "What's his name?" Alexander asks, seemingly to make conversation. "His name is Bandit." I reply. I was never too good with new people, but I sure try. "Are you okay?" He asks. "Is there anything I can do?" I shake my head. "No, I just need to get to Transfiguration." "Oh, I have Transfiguration first too! Let's walk together. I won't take no for an answer." He tells me with a big grin. I couldn't help but chuckle. "Okay, then." I say before heading down the stairs towards the first floor, Alex walking along beside me. 

Once we reach the first floor, I spot Asteria Malfoy heading in the same direction. "Morning Asteria." I say softly as we meet up with her. "I'm running into you left right and centre today! Oh, running into.. I'm sorry Atticus!" Alexander rambles, followed with a chuckle, though I just brush it off. "Morning guys, did I miss something?" Asteria asks us. I glance up at Alex for a moment. "Oh, Alex just quite literally ran into me." I say with a soft chuckle as Alex turns away. "I hope you don't miss, if you're planning a big prank!" He says, changing the topic, I tilt my head slightly confused. "Shh, it's a secret," She replies to Alexander, placing her index finger over her lips before heading into the classroom. She takes a seat next to Draco, "Would you like to sit together?" Alex asks me, spotting an empty table next to the Malfoy twins. I shrug slightly with a nod before taking the seat closest to Asteria.

The room goes silent as McGonagall walks in, an air of seriousness penetrating throughout the classroom. "Welcome, students, to Transfiguration class. I am Professor McGonagall. We will begin our first lesson with an introduction to the transfiguration alphabet. Open your textbooks to page three."  She informs us, and we do exactly that. Over the next quarter of an hour or so she explains the correlation between the Transfiguration alphabet and the English alphabet, as well as the correct way to translate between the two before writing an equation on the board and asking us to translate it. She then transfigures herself into a cat, which surprises myself and probably most of the class. She then jumps up onto her desk and sits, watching us. 

A few minutes later a pitter-patter of two students feet can be heard running in, I take a look back to see who they belonged to. It was none other than Harry Potter and his friend Ronald Weasley. I sigh softly to myself before getting back to work. "Whew.. Made it." Ron mumbled. "Can you imagine the look on ol' McGonagall's face if we were late?" He asks Harry. McGonagall then transfigured back to her human form in front of their eyes, their jaws dropping. "That was bloody brilliant!" Ron exclaims. "Oh, thank you for that assessment, Mr. Weasley. Perhaps if I were to transfigure Mr. Potter and yourself into a pocket watch? That way, one of you might be on time." "..We got lost.." Harry says softly, sounding guilty. "Then perhaps a map? I trust you don't need one to find your seats." She tells them as they awkwardly shuffle across the classroom.