A/N: Again, I do not take credit for the works of Lewis Caroll, Tim Burton, Queen JK Rowling, or Ted Dekker.
There's a lot of contention on how many students Hogwarts actually has per year. Some say there are a thousand and we just don't know of them because they're never mentioned, and in fact, JK Rowling does say the same in an interview… But I'm more inclined to believe that there are a fewer number of them — maybe 350~400? — And that's the number I shall be using in this fanfiction. (There are a lot of reasons for this, but I won't explain it here.)
Also, since barely any information was given about Ravenclaw's schedule, I worked out my own little timetable in my head based on speculation, conjecture and such. Therefore the class schedules of each house are not entirely based on the books…
Lastly, there are two characters here who have appeared in the movies but have not had significant roles in the books. I would expect that Alice, Jane, and the Kingsleigh line's appearance in the realm could also have affected when these characters appeared, and even whether or not they did. In the movies, Hestia and Flora Carrow were in Slytherin, if I'm not mistaken… But I'm keen on having them in Ravenclaw, for I am terribly fond of the pair.
Enjoy the chapter!
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Chapter 12
...
The Troll
...
Dear Alice,
Hogwarts is wonderful! The sun is currently sinking over the horizon, and I've got the best view of it from my dormitory.
I hope you won't be disappointed to hear that I've been sorted into Ravenclaw. The Sorting Hat urged me to trust his decision, but I wonder if I've been sorted here because I lacked the muchness to be put in Gryffindor. Both Ron and Harry had been sorted into Gryffindor. I can't help but feel a little inadequate.
In any case, the feast was wonderful! I sat next to a fellow first year named Terry Boot and a second year named Cho Chang. Quite a few of my housemates have been made aware of our family, and they aren't entirely convinced that I haven't been inducted as a bigoted pure-blood just yet, but they were all perfectly nice. Oh, but don't you worry, I would be just as happy on my own if it comes to that.
After I've eaten more apple crumble than is good for me, Professor Dumbledore got us all to sing the Hogwarts school anthem before we were lead to our common rooms. It sounded un-song-like for we all sang it in our own little tunes. I do believe mine was very Celtic — I'm staying true to the family, so there.
A prefect by the name of Robert Hilliard lead us up a winding stairwell, to a tall door with a bronze eagle knocker. He had to answer a riddle before the eagle let us in — I suppose I'll be doing that often as well.
The common room is just stellar. It's a wide circular room with a midnight blue carpet and many arched windows decked with blue and bronze silk. The ceiling is enchanted with stars. (I do think it'll be helpful when studying for Astronomy.) We've got an excellent view of the school grounds from here — we can see the Quidditch pitch, the Black Lake, the Forbidden Forest and even the surrounding mountains — and the common room is fully furnished with plush chairs, tables and bookcases. It's a great place to study and read, but most of the older students just retreated to their dormitories after the feast.
I've got lovely people in my year. I'm sharing a dorm with Hestia and Flora Carrow, a perfectly nice pair. (Ravenclaw hasn't got much first years, you see — actually, there are only fifty-eight first years in total. Hufflepuff has got the most number of people, with Gryffindor close after. Ravenclaw comes next with fourteen of us, and Slytherin with only ten first years. And the girls are even less than the boys — only six — so the girls were roomed in threes.) The two girls are rather tall for our age. They've got thin brown hair that falls to their shoulders and their thin lips and high foreheads give them a permanent bored expression. They tend to talk in hushed tones, but I don't mind. I suppose we'll get along better as the term progresses.
Did you know that Ravenclaws have to take an extra subject on Fridays? The more advanced subjects aren't offered to first years, so I think I'll be signing up for music.
I wasn't supposed to post this until the morning, but the Grey Lady — she's our house ghost — and I got to talking, and she's offered to help me sneak into the owlery where Cato is. It isn't a long way from the Ravenclaw Tower, so I suppose I'll be there and back in no time.
I miss you.
Yours,
Jane
...
The sun crept into our dormitory quite early. My bed was nearest to the window, for Hestia and Flora wished to have their beds next to each other. I glanced over at their still sleeping figures, hoping that we would all become friends in no time. Our windows were open, letting the soft winds of Autumn whisper in my ears, and making the sky blue silk eiderdowns flutter round the edges.
"Hestia, Flora," I called out across the room. "I do believe it's morning."
Hestia groaned. "Is it already? I can still taste last night's treacle tart — and I've brushed my teeth twice last night."
Flora stirred in the next bed. Her eyes are a bit livelier than Hestia's, I distinguished. "I do hope they serve eclairs for breakfast… Although it seems unlikely."
"We'll all get pudgy if that's the case," Hestia sighed, sitting up.
"Why do you think there are more pudgy students in Hufflepuff than any other house?" Flora said, stretching her arms. "They're nearest to the kitchens, and I can bet you they just can't help themselves to it."
"I wouldn't mind sneaking out a roll once in a while either," Hestia said, biting her thin lips.
"Did you know that Helga Hufflepuff had made most of the recipes they use at Hogwarts?" I said, stepping out of bed.
"No, was that in Hogwarts, A History?" Flora asked.
Hestia sighed. "There is so much to study, isn't there?"
I decided that I liked the Carrow twins, with their soft voices that came out in casual drags. I stepped into the bathroom, brushed my teeth and took a warm shower before coming out in my robes. My hair had grown longer, and fell in ringlets above my shoulder.
"We've got double potions first," Flora said before claiming the bathroom.
"With the Hufflepuffs," Hestia finished, while running a comb through her straight brown hair. "Imagine brewing a disagreeable draft in potions. Oh, that's dreadful!"
"Surely we won't be doing any potion work on our first day, will we?" I faced the mirror, straightening out my tie.
"I suppose not," Hestia glanced at the cuckoo wall clock as it began to chime. "I'm coming in, Flora, or we'll be late for breakfast!"
Much to Flora's dismay, breakfast did not have eclairs on the menu. We settled for a few rolls and orange juice.
"Oh, look," Flora yawned. "The mail's here."
An army of owls came flying into the Great Hall, swooping down and dropping their packages in front of students. The Carrows had a little box each, and Cato had perched on my shoulder, a letter in his beak. I took it, recognizing the Kingsleigh wax seal from the file. Alice. Without a doubt.
...
Darling Jane,
You mustn't allow perception to cloud your judgement. There is more to muchness than belonging to a certain house, just as there is more to intelligence than knowing the textbook by heart. Ritheann uisce domhain go ciúin, remember? To trust the balance where your head and your heart meet, you must first find the balance.
Besides, Harry and Ron are still your friends. I should think that distance alone does not sever a well linked bond. I'm sure you'll find genuine friends in no time. Having said that, be perceptive in your judge of character, for you never know who may be lurking round the corner.
There are a few things I have uncovered — the Curse has been at work.
You may have to stay the holidays at Hogwarts if things go awry.
With love,
Alice
P.S. The place feels empty without you — and not just because it is.
...
The week had past uneventfully, and for that reason, I was on edge.
We had yet to brew anything in Potions, for Professor Snape was keen on having us learn how to prepare ingredients before even thinking of brewing in our cauldrons. This was fortunate for the Hufflepuffs, who were mostly terrified of Professor Snape's figure looming over them. When our first flying lesson came round, not one from Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw had broken any bones. In fact, Madam Hooch had been pleased at all our progress. Even Herbology with the Slytherins had gone by without a single snide comment from Draco.
So, on Friday evening, when Robert Hilliard had gathered all the Ravenclaw students in the Common Room, I was expecting the worst.
"All right, so Halloween is coming up, and you all know what that means!" he bellowed.
Excited whispers resonated through the Common Room.
"Right, settle down then," he continued. "Of course, we've got to explain the thing to the first years — as well as set this year's motif. Eddie! Edmund Spiers, where the bloody hell are you — oh, there you are! Right, Eddie, would you do the honors?"
"Eddie" Spiers, a third year with a chiseled jaw, high cheekbones and light hair took his place next to Robert. He ran his hands through his hair and smiled. "Well, as you all should know, every Halloween at Hogwarts, there's a fancy feast at the Great Hall."
"Fancy is an understatement," Cho Chang called out, inciting giggles from her friends.
Robert frowned at the interruption and nudged Eddie to continue. "Well, anyway, we Ravenclaws think there's more to celebrating Halloween than just a feast — there's so much more fun to be had. For this reason, every year after the feast, we hold a costume ball in our own Common Room."
The first years began whispering to each other eagerly.
"And each year, we keep it top secret," Robert added cheerfully.
"Right, Robert. This ball is quite important to us. It brings Ravenclaws together, you see, even if we don't always like one another and compete over academic marks. This event keeps us as tightly knit as a family."
"At least, as tight knit as a competitive family could be," Robert added.
A hand shot up. It was Sue Li's. She sat next to her cousin, Sam Li who was also in our year. They kept to themselves, and did their homework in secret. "How are we going to keep the Professors from knowing?"
"Oh," Eddie waved his hand. "That's not a problem. Professor Flitwick founded the tradition, after all."
Robert snorted. "Yeah, when the Ravenclaws were hexing each other left and right."
"Alright, then!" Eddie cut him off. "Now, to the agenda. We've got to decide on this years motif, as well as assign the first years into their committees. I suppose it's Penelope's turn," Eddie said before sitting down.
Penelope Clearwater, a prefect with long curly blonde hair took the stage and conjured up a floating blackboard. "There are three committees — food, decorations, and entertainment. Before we decide on the motif, let's split the first years, shall we?"
Hestia, Flora and I were assigned to entertainment along with Sam and Sue Li. Terry, Anthony G, Padma P, Lisa T and Michael C were given over to decorations and Stephen C, Kevin E, Morag and Mandy were thrown to food.
"Why is it that all the boys are in food?" I heard Lisa whisper to Padma.
"Suppose it's so they'll sneak enough in?" Padma replied.
"Well, don't we need them for decorations too?"
"We've got three of them," Padma replied. "Sam's the only boy in entertainment."
Penelope called the pair's attention, making Lisa blush. We then went on to set a motif. So many strange suggestions came up, a friendly reminder that I belonged to the wittiest quirkiest Hogwarts house.
"…We could go all black…"
"…how about modern villans? Someone could go as You-Know-Who!" "No, that's too terrifying!"
"…What about human transfiguration?" "But that's N.E.W.T. Level! What if the spell goes wrong?"
In the end, we had settled on fantastic beasts and creatures as a motif. The Ravenclaws could talk of nothing else for the next few weeks. Eddie was right, though. The students began to mingle more instead of holing up in their dormitories to study.
"Is it true then?" Marietta Edgecombe pestered me as we helped put up the decorations. "Has Harry Potter really been made seeker of Gryffindor?"
Harry had told me about this when we had History of Magic together. "Yes, he has."
The five girls — including Cho Chang — giggled obnoxiously. "Aren't you three at all interested in him?" one of the giggling dolls asked, twirling her hair in the process. I think her name was Maria.
Hestia looked up from her Astronomy book. "Don't you all have better things to do?" she said lazily.
"Well, she's right," Marietta sighed. "There are much better looking boys."
Hestia clenched her jaw. Flora did the same. "That's not what she meant," Flora hissed.
I looked at the twins nervously. "Shall we get to the Halloween Feast then?"
Hestia and Flora snapped out of their seething state and smiled at me. "Sure," they said together. We were making our way to the Great Hall, talking about the pieces I would play on my violin for the Ravenclaw Ball, when my messenger bag was taken from my arm.
"Oh!" I yelped, seeing my bag float in mid-air. "Peeves, you wretched poltergeist! Give that back this instance!"
Peeves laughed, revealing his wicked dark eyes with a pop. "Ickle Firsties," he laughed before floating off.
"Go ahead," I waved at Hestia and Flora. "I've got a ghost to catch."
The twins gave me a hesitant wave and went on to the Great Hall. I took my wand out and chased after Peeves.
"Give that back, or I'll get rid of you once and for all!"
Peeves froze and turned to me. "You wouldn't!"
"Oh, but I would."
"Ickle Firsty knows how to play," Peeves smirked before throwing me my messenger bag.
"Thank you," I caught my bag and slipped my wand into my sleeve.
Peeves gave another laugh, but his voice choked before he finished. I turned around, wondering what had shocked him so. Professor Quirrell was wracking his hands nervously. I looked behind him and stifled a scream. A large troll was trailing the Professor, a sort of dazed look on his face.
"Professor," I gasped.
He looked up at me, bewildered. "Ah, M-ms K-kingsl-leigh! W-w-what br-brings y-you h-here?"
"Professor, don't be startled, but there's a troll behind you," I said calmly.
Professor Quirrell did not respond in a similar manner. Instead, fear crept into his eyes and he bolted past me, in the direction of the Great Hall. "T-t-tr-tr-trooll!" he yelled.
I turned around, to see the troll towering over me, holding up its club. Before I could grab my wand from my coat sleeve, I felt the troll's club collide with my head.
The vortex took me back to my own body, but the throbbing in my head would not stop.
I groaned. My head felt like a thousand elephants had sat on it. Grandma Caroline came in with a tray of milk and cookies.
"Merry Christmas!" she smiled.
I managed a grimace.
Her smile disappeared. "What's happened?"
"A troll clobbered me. Oh, my head," I groaned.
Grandma sat beside me and stroked my hair. "Now, now," she soothed. "It could be worse."
"Am I dead?" I asked, pressing my eyes in an attempt to stop the pain.
Grandma Caroline chuckled. "No, you're not. You'd feel it if you were."
"Well, this doesn't feel too good either," I sighed. "And I do think the books have taken their own form. There are so many inconsistencies now."
Grandma Caroline smiled. "Authors do not control the realms. The books run their own course."
"What would I ever do without you, Grandma?"
Grandma smiled. "I was hoping you'd say that."
