The entire Great Hall applauded, even the Slytherins, normally not so enthusiastic at the beginning of the year. When the noise died down, Professor Mixtem began to call out names of the first years in his small voice. "Abreney, Letricia!" A tall, long-limbed girl with long dirty-blonde hair and pinched features stepped out onto the stage and set the hat on her head eagerly. After a few short moments, the hat shouted out, "SLYTHERIN!"
"Agredale, Karen!" A small blonde-haired girl stepped out onto the stage, looking very nervous. She picked up the hat, hands trembling, and placed it on her head.
Before it had even fallen over her eyes, the hat called, "GRYFFINDOR!" The Gryffindor table cheered as Karen walked over.
The sorting was short, for which Victoria was thankful. She was starving, and couldn't help but stare at the empty golden plates and goblets. Professor Clayrmonte once again stood up on his chair. He was a tall man as it was, and standing on his high-backed chair emphasized this feature. His face was set in a wide smile, and his brown hair was messy as usual. His robes were crinkled and he was beginning to aquire wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. Yet beyond that he looked entirely as a rumpled professor would, he had a very strong presence. "A few reminders, and one very important announcement before you may eat. Bear with me, for I am just as hungry as you. The Forbidden Forest, as always, is forbidden, hence the name. Students may not enter for any reason unaccompanied. The caretaker Mr. Kehmen has also asked me to remind you all that the detention punishment is still hanging students by their wrists. A cruel punishment, I know, but it seems to have been working. Last year only three students got detention all year. Of course, only a serious infraction of the rules warrants a detention.
"Now, for the final announcement, and this is very important so listen up: This year, the Ministry of Magic, lead by Minister Louis Fitzgerald, is going to be organizing a tournament in which witches and wizards compete in magical tests of all sorts. It is planned that the tournament will take place here." A few whispers started going around the Great Hall. "Yes, yes, I know. I'm sure you are all wondering exactly why it would take place anywhere else, since this is the only school we've got. However, there are two schools, vague locations unknown to everyone but top ministry officials until last week, that also teach witchcraft and wizardry. One of them is Beauxbatons, the other Durmstrang. Beauxbatons is in France, Durmstrang in Bulgaria, and we know nothing more. Both schools, like Hogwarts, are shielded by magic. This tournament (I apologize, the name is still being discussed) is going to be between all three schools. At this point in time, I only know that much, but I will be sure to keep you updated. That said, I suggest you eat."
As all the students had been staring at Professor Clayrmonte, their plates had been magically filled. Some people were shaking their heads in disbelief, while others sat unmoving. Many mouths hung open as the students tried to pull themselves out of their shock. Albert turned to the girls. "Two other schools of magic," he said. "Can you believe it?! I didn't know there was another school anywhere that taught witchcraft and wizardry."
"It is now quite apparent that there is." Victoria was more amazed than she sounded. "In fact, that there are two. It makes sense though. I mean, think about it. Do you see anybody but those from England at Hogwarts? There have to be witches and wizards from other countries as well."
"Why on earth wouldn't they tell us about something like that?" Kathrine asked.
"Who knows?" Albert shrugged. "Let's just eat. It doesn't matter that we didn't know. Now we know that, and also that there is going to be a tournament of sorts. It will be fun and exciting, I'm sure."
Victoria nodded slowly, chewing on a bite of roast beef.
Slowly, people began to eat. The main topic of conversation at all four house tables was still the two other schools of magic, but things did calm down. People filled themselves to the brim with all the wonderful food. Victoria had at first promised herself she would chew each bite slowly, savoring the flavor, but gave up after a few short minutes. She was far too hungry to waste time chewing.
Dinner was cleared after a while, and all the dishes disappeared from the tables, crystal dessert plates appearing. The dessert selection was more wonderful, if possible, than that of dinner. Victoria filled her plate. By the time she had finished clearing the fine crystal of any trace of food, her full stomach had caught up with her. It seemed that Albert and Kathrine were feeling exactly the same way. Victoria, noticing that the plates were beginning to clear themselves withot help from the students, went up to speak to Professor Clayrmonte for a moment. "I'll be back in just a moment," she said to her friends.
The walk to the staff table was short, and Victoria was standing just behind and to the left of Professor Clayrmonte's chair in no time. She waited patiently as he finished up a conversation with Professor Zilsand, the charms teacher. She was staring at the ceiling when she heard the headmaster's voice. "Yes, Miss Christiansen?"
Victoria jumped, startled for a moment. She made a hurried curtsy in greeting. "Professor, I was wondering what the password is to get into Ravenclaw tower. I didn't know how I was going to figure that out, so I presumed it would be a good idea to ask."
"You presumed correctly. Yes, I suppose I ought to give that bit of information to you." He pulled is wand out and mumbled something under his breath as he pointed it at her head. "That should do it. When the timing is appropriate, the password will come to you."
"That's all it takes?" she asked.
"Yes, it's quite simple, really. Now then, I am going to say goodnight to all the students. Go back to your seat, and when I am finished you, Albert, and Kathrine may lead the Ravenclaws up to your tower and give everyone the password." Victoria curtsied and walked away. She then slid into her seat between Albert and Kathrine.
"What did you say to him?" asked Kathrine.
"I asked him for the password. Remember, it's our job this year to give it to everyone?"
"That's right. I knew there was something I had forgotten about this whole prefect thing. Well then, what is it?" asked Albert.
"What is what?" Victoria was rather confused.
"The password, of course."
"Oh, yes, that. Clayrmonte said it would come to me when the timing is appropriate." Victoria rubbed her eyes, beginning to feel sleepy. By the time she was looking up again, Professor Clayrmonte was standing on his chair for the final time that evening.
"Students," he began, "my best wishes go out to you all for the year to come. May you learn many things, face many challenges, and have the most fun possible. Goodnight." After the obvious dismissal, students began to stand up, brushing crumbs of of their robes.
"All right, this is where we come in," said Kathrine. "Ravenclaws! This way, Ravenclaws!" she shouted above all the noises of shuffling feet. She pulled out her wand and raised it into the air. "Lumos," she whispered. "Now, follow my wand. Be sure to keep track of it, first years." At a loss of anything more to say, she looked to Victoria and Albert.
Albert spoke up for the two of them. "Victoria and I will be bringing up the rear."
Kathrine lead the way to the Ravenclaw tower. It was alongside the astronomy tower, and overlooked the lake and part of the Forbidden Forest. Before they got all the way to the tower entrance, Victoria weaved her way to the front. The moment they reached the small blank spot of stone wall in between two statues, the password came to her. One of the statues was made out of stone. It was a small tree, and the artist had been very detailed in his or her work. The other was made out of a transparent blue material, cool to the touch and almost like glass. It was a perfect sphere held up by a silver base. Victoria stopped in front of it.
"When you want to enter Ravenclaw tower," she started, "you simply place your hand on this sphere here. There are similar spheres up and down this hallway, but this is the only blue one. Once you have placed your hand on top of it," she demonstrated, "you speak the password. The password for Ravenclaw, until further notice, is padrinium."