Harry and Ron were very pleased with Hermione and Neville’s reactions.
They exchanged a glance and smiled, as if sharing in the pride.
Shocked already?
That was nothing.
Elavin hadn’t even gone all out yet!
“Watch closely!” Elavin gave a soft command and pointed at the chicken wing and leg bones on the table, transforming them into a two-storey library.
“This is roughly what the Ravenclaw common room looks like — similar to a library, with a very strong study atmosphere.
Above the common room is the rooftop terrace, a great spot for couples to date or students to do morning reading.
The bedrooms have excellent lighting, with bay windows by the beds — you can listen to the rain in summer and watch the snow in winter.
Also, every year for the House Cup, Ravenclaw is either first or second.” After hearing Elavin’s description, Hermione was completely sold.
The others also grew eager to hear about the other dormitories.
“Next, Gryffindor.
The dormitory is in Gryffindor Tower, and the entrance to the common room is also on the eighth floor.” Elavin lightly tapped his wand and transformed another pile of snack wrappers into a miniature version of the Gryffindor dormitory.
“The common room has good lighting too, and I hear it’s lively every day.
But Gryffindor students are always causing trouble, so every year for the House Cup, they come in last.” At the word “causing trouble,” Ron couldn’t help but laugh.
He knew his two brothers were certainly among the ringleaders.
Elavin continued transforming the trash on the table.
“Hufflepuff’s common room is in the basement.
The style is very cozy, but the ceilings are low.
Oh, and the Hogwarts kitchens are right next to it.” “Finally, Slytherin.
Their dormitory is under the Black Lake, so there’s no natural light at all and no windows.
The common room is huge, and you can see the giant squid, merpeople, and a Grindylow, along with many other magical creatures living at the bottom of the lake.
If you have a fear of deep water, I wouldn’t recommend it.” “As for the overall atmosphere—how should I put it…
it looks like a sewer.
Very unpleasant.” After Elavin finished introducing the four dormitories, the others felt deeply satisfied.
But perceptive Hermione noticed something odd.
“How do you know so much about all four common rooms?” “I asked around in Diagon Alley, of course!” Diagon Alley!
Of course—lots of wizards visited Diagon Alley every day.
It was the perfect place to gather information.
Why hadn’t she thought of that before?
Hermione immediately felt deeply annoyed with herself for not doing more homework in advance.
Even more observant Harry noticed another detail.
Gathering such detailed information would have taken considerable time and effort.
So…
Elavin’s terrifying “study schedule” was definitely fake, right?
Ron asked, “So you don’t want to go to Slytherin just because it’s like a sewer?” “Exactly!” Elavin nodded.
“Hogwarts has temperature-regulating charms, so dampness and cold aren’t issues.” “But even a normal person living in such dark conditions for a long time would become gloomy and paranoid—let alone a bunch of teenagers under eighteen.” “So you really can’t blame Slytherin for having so many bad people.
I’d say the dormitory environment deserves at least twenty percent of the blame!” Harry noticed that Elavin’s view of Slytherin was clearly not as dismissive as Ron’s.
He became curious about Elavin’s perspective.
“Elavin, what do you think of Slytherin as a house?” “I already said—it’s like a sewer.” “…I meant the people in it, not the dormitory environment.” “The people?” Elavin’s expression grew more serious.
“Harry, I never label people I haven’t met, nor do I judge an entire group based on one or two individuals.” “Human nature is extremely complex.” “In equally complex environments, complex human nature can manifest in all sorts of ways—nothing strange about that.” “So all I can say is, I won’t avoid interacting with people from Slytherin just because the house has a bad reputation.” After hearing Elavin’s response, Harry thought for a long time.
Finally, he nodded vigorously as if a light had gone off.
“You’re absolutely right, Elavin.” “We really shouldn’t make assumptions about people we’ve never met.” After finishing the dormitory talk, they ran out of topics.
Hermione went with Neville to continue searching for Trevor, while Elavin and the others kept eating and drinking to pass the time.
“Are you full?” “Almost.
Can’t eat too much, or I won’t be hungry for dinner.” Ron patted his half-full belly.
“Percy said the welcome feast at Hogwarts is always very lavish.” Elavin nodded.
“I’d still suggest you eat more.
You’ll need the energy for running later.” “Running?
Why run?” Ron asked.
Harry also looked curious.
Elavin merely smiled and shook his head without answering.
Seeing that, Ron changed the subject with Harry, and they soon started talking about Quidditch.
Just as they were getting into it, the compartment door was pushed open once again.
This time, three boys walked in.
The one in the lead had his hair combed to look like an adult’s, with a pale complexion and an arrogant demeanor.
Behind him were two short, chubby boys who looked like bodyguards.
“Everyone on the train is saying that Harry Potter is in this compartment.” “So it’s you, isn’t it?” The slick-haired blond boy’s voice carried the distinctive drawl of a pure-blood aristocratic wizard.
Elavin half-expected him to follow up with a haughty “Now shine my shoes.” Harry stood up.
“Yes.” Here came “Ferret Boy” Malfoy—Harry’s destined nemesis!
Seeing Harry staring intently at the three of them, Elavin deliberately asked, “Harry, do you know him?” Harry nodded honestly.
“This young master…
I feel I’ve seen him somewhere before.” Elavin froze for a moment.
“Don’t tell me you met him in a dream and are now treating him like an old friend?” Harry was equally bewildered.
What kind of strange way of putting things was that?
“Why would you think that?” “Of course not!” “We met once before at Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions in Diagon Alley.” Noticing Harry’s gaze, Malfoy casually introduced himself.
“I’m Draco Malfoy.” “These are Crabbe and Goyle.” Ron gave a small cough, barely holding back a laugh.
Why was it funny?
Because he thought Malfoy’s behaviour—clearly caring a lot while pretending not to—was incredibly affected.
It was like a child trying to imitate an adult, yet making mistakes everywhere.
Ridiculously amusing.
Malfoy misunderstood the laugh.
He immediately turned to Ron and sneered.
“You think my name is funny, do you?” “I don’t even need to ask who you are.
My father told me that all Weasleys have red hair, freckles, and more children than they can afford.” Ron’s face instantly flushed red with anger.