Stepping through the entrance and into the Ravenclaw common room, the space stole his breath.
Unlike the cozy flicker of Gryffindor's tower or the earthy, candlelit comfort of Hufflepuff and Slytherin's underground chambers, Ravenclaw's common room felt like stepping into the night sky itself. The first thing he noticed was how open it felt, like the tower had no ceiling at all. Massive arched windows wrapped around the walls, allowing moonlight to spill across the stone floor like silk. The ceiling soared above in a graceful dome painted a deep blue, scattered with silver stars that shimmered like constellations caught mid-breath.
Bookshelves lined every wall, packed from floor to ceiling with leather-bound tomes and scrolls with unknown amount of age and knowledge. Rich wooden tables were positioned between tall-backed chairs, each seat seemingly inviting students to dive into thought. A white marble fireplace crackled with gentle flames, casting warm light across the room. Above it hung a grand tapestry of Rowena Ravenclaw herself, her eyes calm and intelligent, watching over the room with a knowing grace.
Ethan felt like he'd stepped into a dream, or perhaps more accurately, stepped into a memory he never had but always knew. He'd imagined this place before.
"Alright, first-years," came a voice with a touch of amusement. Ethan blinked, startled out of his staring.
The Ravenclaw prefect stood near the entrance, arms crossed with a small smirk, clearly used to seeing new students struck dumb by the room's beauty. "Welcome to Ravenclaw Tower."
The group quieted, giving the prefect their attention.
"A few things before we let you loose. First, our common room is located at the top of a tower, obviously. That means if you sneak out in the middle of the night, expect to hike all the way back up."
A couple of students chuckled, but most looked like they were already mentally crossing off 'midnight adventures' from their plans.
"The entrance has no password," the prefect continued. "Instead, you'll need to answer a riddle from the eagle knocker. If you answer correctly, you're in. If you don't, you wait."
Some of the first-years squirmed. Ethan didn't. His mind was already racing with the possibilities. He loved riddles. A house that tested your wit before letting you in? Perfect.
"If no one else comes along," the prefect added with a sly grin, "you could be stuck out there for hours. So think before you speak."
He gestured toward two spiral staircases splitting off from the room, one curving right and the other left. "The right leads to the boys' dormitories. Left for the girls. Your trunks have already been brought up, thank the house-elves. You'll find your names at the foot of your beds."
A collective sigh of relief followed.
"And lastly…" The prefect gave a mock-glare to a group already eyeing the bookshelves with hunger. "Don't stay up all night reading. Classes start tomorrow."
With a final wave, he ascended the left staircase and disappeared from view.
The group lingered for a moment, some still absorbing the grandeur of the common room, others already making their way to the dorms. Ethan lingered until only a few remained. His eyes danced across the bookshelves, the constellation ceiling, and the flickering shadows cast by the fireplace. He could live here forever, he thought.
Eventually, he turned toward the boys' staircase and began to climb.
The wooden steps curved gently upward, smooth from centuries of use. Soft candlelight illuminated portraits on the walls, some dozing in their frames, others eyeing the new student with mild interest. The air was cooler here, thinner, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It just felt higher. Like he was closer to the sky.
He reached a landing with several wooden doors, each labeled neatly with brass plaques. One read "First-Year Boys." He pushed it open and stepped in
P.
The dormitory had the same celestial charm as the common room. Tall arched windows allowed moonlight to wash over the polished floor. Five four-poster beds were arranged in a wide semicircle, each dressed in deep blue covers threaded with silver constellations. At the foot of every bed sat a wooden trunk bearing its owner's name.
Ethan spotted his immediately:
Ethan Wright
He walked over, smiling to himself as he set down his bag and sat on the bed. The mattress was soft and welcoming. As he took it all in, he glanced out the window. From this height, the Hogwarts grounds looked like shadows and silver outlines. The Forbidden Forest stretching into darkness, the Black Lake glinting like obsidian under the moon.
The other boys were settling in, one already half-asleep, another humming to himself as he unpacked a collection of books. Two were chattering excitedly, throwing guesses at which spell they'd learn first. Ethan didn't join the conversation. He wasn't shy, just wasn't much of a people person.
He reached into his bag, pulled out his nightclothes, and quickly changed. Setting his wand gently on the nightstand beside him, he let his fingers brush along its polished surface. It felt heavier now. Not physically, but symbolically. He was going to soon learn magic.
He was going to cast spells. Brew potions. Transfigure objects. Explore mysteries that once belonged only to stories. And tomorrow, it would begin.
Excitement fluttered in his chest, keeping sleep at bay for a few precious minutes longer.
He lay back and pulled the blue blankets over himself, letting the soft hum of quiet conversation and flickering candlelight lull him into a gentle calm. He stared up at the ceiling, where faint light from the windows cast silver patterns above.
He thought of Noctis, contently sleeping high above the grounds with all the other owls. He wasn't sure if he'd make friends, or if he'd stay out of trouble. But he knew one thing with absolute certainty.
Tomorrow, the real magic would begin.