Title: Ravenclaw's Greatest Mystery
Ravenclaw
Charms
Drabble
Prompt: [Must Include] A letter
Word Count: 978
AN AU: Hermione and Luna meet in (Hermione's) second year, changing all of Hermione's plans for the future.
Hermione Granger had a question, and she firmly believed, all questions ought to have answers. Granted, many of the whys and wherefores about magic seemed to elude even the experts in the field, but that was just because the wizarding world had seemingly never heard of the scientific method, or logic of any kind, before.
Even knowing of this weakness in her new school, Hermione assumed that a query about one of the founders ought to be solved easily enough, even if Hogwarts, a History didn't discuss the subject. Alas, things are rarely so simple.
She tried the history professor first.
"Excuse me, professor, but why is Ravenclaw's mascot an eagle? Shouldn't it be a raven?" she asked after class.
The ghostly professor turned slowly. "Apologies, Miss Gingerby, but I don't see how that is relevant. Today's lesson was on the Goblin War of 1386, long after the eagle was chosen. Run along now."
"But I—"
"Run along," he repeated before floating through the nearest wall without a backwards glance.
Naturally, after that experience, she went to a more reputable teacher, one Filius Flitwick, Ravenclaw's head of house.
"I'm afraid I don't understand, Miss Granger. Ravenclaw's house has had the eagle for its mascot for centuries. Why ever would we wish to change it to a raven?" he had asked as though Hermione was the one who had had a leave of her senses.
"No, sir. I'm not suggesting that Ravenclaw change its mascot. I'm asking why a house called Ravenclaw would have an eagle in the first place. A raven makes more sense, surely. It's right there in the name!"
Professor Flitwick chuckled. "I suppose Gryffindor's mascot is actually a griffin? The classic lion is a front, I take it?"
Hermione was flustered. "Well, no. But Hogwarts, a History discusses the Gryffindor lion. Godric gained his fame for being brave by going out and stopping a lioness who had been attacking villagers in what is now Africa. He ended up adopting a cub of hers after she had to be killed. There's no such written history that I can find on Rowena."
Professor Flitwick sighed. "I'm afraid, Miss Granger, that some details have been lost to time. Let's leave this topic for another day. Have you any questions about this week's assignment?"
Hermione sadly allowed for the change in conversation but found herself unable to let it go entirely.
A week later, a first-year Ravenclaw came up to her.
"Hello. I'm Luna Lovegood. I heard from the Gardinkles that you're looking for information on the House mascots. Have you tried visiting Hogwarts Animal Sanctuary? It has written tales about all its animals!"
For a moment, Hermione was speechless. Hogwarts, a History had never mentioned an animal sanctuary!
"Hogwarts has its own sanctuary? I didn't know that! Wait, how do you know about it? Aren't you a first year?"
"The Gardinkles told me, of course," was the nonchalant response of the petite girl who then walked off as if in her own little world.
"Wait! Where is it?"
"You've got to follow the Gardinkles, of course. I'm going there now if you'd like to come."
What followed was a strange journey up and down staircases and through dozens of corridors until they came to… an empty wall?
Hermione's heart thumped as Luna stared at the wall with a furrowed expression before placing her hand on a slightly off-colored stone.
Even after a year at Hogwarts, Hermione couldn't help but jump at the cacophony of sounds that could now be heard on the other side.
"It's like Platform 9 ¾." Luna prompted. "Go on through!"
Hermione's eyes widened as dozens of animals, magical and not, moved from one biome to another without a care. An eagle, the creature that had so fascinated her since the summer, even landed on her shoulder!
She may have continued standing there for quite a while if it weren't for Luna's presence.
"Come on! The letters are over here!" she urged, leading Hermione and the eagle to the perimeter of a magically-enlarged room.
"Bloodsucking Bear, Cheerful Cheetah, Delightful Dog...ah, here we are! The Exciting Eagles of Rowena Ravenclaw!"
With numb fingers, Hermione took a look at a letter that was actually signed by Rowena Ravenclaw!
"Dearest Student,
If you've found this hidden paradise, you must truly be a lover of both knowledge and this world's creatures. My husband, Salazar, would not abide by anything else when he set to create his wards. We created this place, him and I, after a Truth-Seer foretold of how many creatures would be at risk of extinction at man's hands. Every generation, a certain number of students who fit the criteria are shown this place: firstly by Hogwarts, and then by those who recognize the characteristics in others whose blooming did not occur in their first year. They, by which I mean you, are charged with protecting this secret place and in adding other beasts as needed who require protection. For each animal you bring, you ought to write a letter like this one for future generations to read.
And now, on to why you are here. No doubt if you're reading this letter, something about eagles interests you. Perhaps you are a Ravenclaw seeking knowledge or one of Helga's children, encouraged by the eagle's loyalty to its kin? Maybe your ambitions soar like the eagle and force you to face fears others would avoid. We love these qualities in our students here at Hogwarts, and they're the very reason I chose eagles as my mascot.
Alas, this letter has served its purpose. Go forward, my dear, in the protection of the innocent.
Rowena Ravenclaw"
Hermione shivered. She'd rarely spent much time thinking about animals or protections, but a call to action, from Rowena Ravenclaw no less, couldn't be ignored.
And so, she discovered her life's work.