The main purpose of the evening banquet was naturally the Sorting Ceremony and welcoming the new first-year students to Hogwarts.
Once those formalities were completed, however, the true highlight of the night finally began— The feast.
And honestly, Adam had to admit something.
The food at Hogwarts was surprisingly excellent.
Golden roasted chickens, steaming mashed potatoes, buttered bread, grilled sausages, fresh pies, puddings, soups, roasted vegetables, and countless other dishes appeared magically across the long tables.
The delicious aroma alone was enough to make the exhausted first years forget their nervousness.
Even Adam, who had spent most of his life eating Ecter’s carefully prepared meals, found himself impressed.
Some dishes were even slightly better than Ecter’s cooking.
Though there was still one unfortunate problem.
The Hogwarts House-elves clearly had no idea how to prepare Eastern cuisine.
Adam silently decided that someday, when he had enough free time, he would personally visit the Hogwarts kitchens and improve their recipes a little.
After all, introducing proper Eastern food to the wizarding world sounded like a meaningful contribution to magical civilization.
While eating, Adam also observed something else that fascinated many first years— The Hogwarts ghosts.
Transparent figures drifted freely throughout the Great Hall, passing directly through tables, walls, and occasionally through startled students.
Some ghosts floated through conversations casually while others chatted with older students like ordinary teachers.
A few first years looked terrified.
Others seemed excited.
Adam, however, simply watched them with curiosity.
Even after coming to the magical world, ghosts still felt strangely surreal to him.
At the staff table, Albus Dumbledore finally rose to his feet after the meal ended.
The entire hall gradually quieted.
Dumbledore smiled warmly at the students.
“Before we all head to bed,” he said cheerfully, “I have a few announcements.” Adam quietly rested his chin on one hand while listening.
Most of the speech was identical to what he remembered from the original story.
Forbidden Forest.
School rules.
Restricted areas.
Then came the famous warning.
“The corridor on the right side of the third floor,” Dumbledore continued calmly, “is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death.” Many first years immediately paled.
Some older students laughed quietly.
Adam, meanwhile, narrowed his eyes slightly.
Because he had been paying close attention to Dumbledore the entire time, he clearly noticed something interesting.
When mentioning the forbidden corridor, Dumbledore’s gaze briefly lingered on one specific person.
Harry Potter.
It lasted less than a second.
So quickly that almost nobody else could have noticed it.
But Adam did.
‘As expected…’ He already knew the hidden truth about the Philosopher’s Stone.
Dumbledore’s little “warning” was less of a warning and more of an invitation.
Or perhaps bait.
After the announcements ended, the entire school sang the Hogwarts school song together.
The result was exactly as chaotic and terrible as Adam expected.
Some students sang quickly.
Others slowly.
A few completely ignored the rhythm.
It sounded less like a school anthem and more like a magical disaster.
Even so, Dumbledore appeared thoroughly delighted by it.
Finally, the welcoming feast officially came to an end.
Students gradually rose from their seats while the prefects from each house gathered the first years together.
“Ravenclaw first years, over here please!” A pleasant female voice called out nearby.
Adam turned and saw a beautiful older student with long curly blonde hair smiling at the gathered Ravenclaw students.
This was Penelope Clearwater.
“My name is Penelope Clearwater,” she introduced herself warmly.
“I’m one of the Ravenclaw prefects.
You may simply call me Penelope.” Compared to the strict atmosphere around some other prefects, Penelope seemed approachable and elegant.
“Now then,” she continued, “follow me.
I’ll guide you to the Ravenclaw common room.” The group of newly sorted Ravenclaw students immediately followed after her.
Adam quietly counted the students as they walked.
Including himself, there were eleven first-year Ravenclaws this year.
Six boys.
Five girls.
As they moved through the castle corridors, Penelope casually explained various details about Hogwarts.
“The common rooms for each house are located in different areas of the castle,” she said.
“Our Ravenclaw common room is located at the top of Ravenclaw Tower.” The students listened attentively.
“Hogwarts contains one hundred and forty-two staircases,” Penelope continued.
“Some are wide, some narrow.
Some lead somewhere different every Friday.” A few first years looked alarmed.
“And some staircases,” she added calmly, “occasionally disappear altogether.” Several students instantly looked horrified.
Adam nearly laughed.
“If you have classes tomorrow morning,” Penelope advised, “I strongly recommend waking up early.
Otherwise, you may end up hopelessly lost because of the moving staircases.” The first years immediately memorized her words seriously.
The group continued walking through twisting corridors, moving staircases, and ancient hallways decorated with portraits.
Eventually, they arrived before a plain wooden door with an eagle-shaped bronze knocker.
“This,” Penelope announced proudly, “is the entrance to the Ravenclaw common room.” Unlike the entrances to other houses, there was no visible password.
Instead, Penelope lightly tapped the bronze eagle knocker.
To the surprise of several first years, the eagle suddenly spoke.
“What is invisible and untouchable,” the eagle asked calmly, “yet can make a wizard more powerful than a wand?” Several students froze immediately.
Penelope smiled slightly.
“This one is relatively simple,” she said.
“Would anyone like to answer?” Silence followed.
Most first years frowned deeply while thinking.
Some whispered guesses under their breath.
Others looked completely lost.
Adam, however, answered almost immediately.
“Wisdom.” The bronze eagle remained silent for a moment.
Then— Click.
The door slowly swung open.
Penelope smiled approvingly.
“Well done.” She glanced at the other students playfully.
“Looks like none of us will be sleeping outside tonight.” The first years laughed nervously before following her inside.
The Ravenclaw common room was breathtaking.
It was a large circular chamber draped in elegant blue and bronze silks.
The domed ceiling above resembled a night sky filled with shining stars.
Soft moonlight streamed through tall arched windows.
The carpet beneath their feet was deep blue with embroidered silver stars scattered across it.
Bookshelves lined the walls.
Comfortable chairs surrounded small tables near the fireplace.
And near the far side of the room stood a magnificent marble statue of Rowena Ravenclaw herself.
The moment the first years entered— Almost every Ravenclaw student immediately stared at the bookshelves.
Adam found the reaction amusing.
Students sorted into Ravenclaw naturally loved reading and learning.
For many of them, the books were even more exciting than the castle itself.
Penelope noticed their eager expressions and smiled knowingly.
“You may read the books here anytime you wish,” she said.
“Additionally, Ravenclaw possesses its own private library.” The students’ eyes instantly widened.
“Some books there,” Penelope continued proudly, “cannot even be found in the main Hogwarts library.” Several first years nearly looked ready to sprint there immediately.
Even Adam felt interested.
A private Ravenclaw collection sounded extremely valuable.
Unfortunately, Penelope quickly ruined their dreams.
“However,” she added firmly, “it is already very late.” Disappointed expressions immediately appeared across several faces.
“You all need proper rest tonight.
If you fail to wake up for class tomorrow morning, Ravenclaw will lose points.” That instantly restored everyone’s self-control.
Soon afterward, the girls followed Penelope toward the girls’ dormitories.
Meanwhile, the boys were guided by an older student.
“My name is Roger Davies,” the senior introduced himself casually.
Roger Davies.
“Hogwarts dormitories usually house four students,” Roger explained while leading them upstairs, “though exact numbers vary depending on the year.” The six boys were eventually split evenly into two rooms.
Three students per dormitory.
Adam entered his assigned room and glanced around briefly.
The room was surprisingly comfortable.
Three four-poster beds stood beside large windows overlooking the night sky.
Moonlight spilled softly across the wooden floor.
One of the boys immediately smiled awkwardly.
“Hello,” he said.
“My name is Anthony Goldstein.” Anthony Goldstein.
The second boy also introduced himself while organizing his luggage.
“Terry Boot.” Terry Boot.
Adam nodded politely.
“Adam Ambrosius.” Before he could say anything further, Anthony suddenly leaned forward excitedly.
“Adam, how did you answer the riddle so quickly earlier?” Even Terry looked curious.
Adam smiled slightly.
“It’s nothing special.” “Read more.
Think more.” “That’s all.” Anthony blinked.
“That simple?” “Ravenclaws excel because they enjoy learning,” Adam replied calmly.
“If you continue reading and thinking seriously, you’ll naturally improve over time.” Both boys nodded thoughtfully.
Compared to Gryffindors, Ravenclaws weren’t especially brave.
Compared to Hufflepuffs, they weren’t especially hardworking.
Compared to Slytherins, they weren’t especially ambitious or cunning.
But when it came to learning— Ravenclaw students held absolute confidence.
Just as the conversation continued— “Meow~!” A loud cry suddenly echoed through the room.
Anthony jumped.
Terry looked around immediately.
“Where did that sound come from?” Because the pet carrier had been hidden behind Adam’s luggage earlier, neither of them had noticed it.
The moment Adam heard Fou-Fou’s furious meowing, however, his expression changed slightly.
‘Uh oh.’ “I forgot…” Adam immediately walked toward the carrier.
“Sorry,” he said awkwardly.
“That’s my pet.” The moment he opened the cage— A white blur shot out like lightning.
“Meow~~~!” Fou-Fou leapt directly onto Adam’s head.
Smack!
Smack!
Smack!
Tiny paws repeatedly slapped Adam’s face and hair angrily.
Clearly, Fou-Fou was furious about being trapped in the cage for so long.
Anthony and Terry stared blankly.
Adam immediately surrendered.
“I was wrong!” Smack!
“I really was wrong!” Smack!
“Fou-Fou, please forgive me!” The small white cat continued smacking him mercilessly.
Watching the ridiculous scene unfold before them, Anthony and Terry finally burst into laughter.
And for the first time since arriving at Hogwarts— The dormitory truly began to feel like home.
Give me more motivation!