Penny knew she was in trouble this time.
"Miss Clearwater, would you take the first years to the Ravenclaw Common Room?"
"Yes, Professor."
That had come out of her so easily. The knowledge came too. There was a group of small children, maybe ten or eleven looking expectantly at her. All were dressed in robes with blue trim. She looked around quickly and saw other students in similar get-up but different colors to their trims being led out of the giant room that she found herself in. At the front there was a raised table with adults. Some looked to be finishing a meal with most dressed somewhat similarly to the children.
She looked down at herself. She was dressed the same as the children.
Something was very wrong, but she had to do something before questions were asked that she couldn't answer. She somehow knew the route to this 'Ravenclaw Common Room.' It was like there was another consciousness feeding her information, which felt all kinds of icky. Still, it was there, and knowledge was power after all.
Penny set off with the children, letting the 'other' consciousness speak and listening in to gather information that might help her. It was a rather long trip, up several flights of stairs (moving stairs! Talking portraits!) that had her winded.
"Penny, are you okay?"
The question came from a boy that was about her apparent age. She smiled at him.
"I'm okay. It's just been a long day and I'm looking forward to bed."
He nodded.
"True. Facing these stairs for the first time after summer break is never fun."
She didn't say anything else, trying to decide if that 'long day' remark came from her or the other consciousness. The doorway had the most interesting knocker however. Anyone wanting to get into this Common Room - whatever that was - had to correctly answer a riddle. She explained this, not knowing how she knew that and heard the riddle asked. Surprising, one of the children answered quickly before she could say anything.
"Well reasoned," the answer came from the knocker, which looked like either an dark eagle or a light raven. It looked pretty worn.
After getting into the Common Room and seeing all the different youths of many ages inside, she could understand why. How was she supposed to control this herd as this shiny badge on her robe empowered her to do. She was something called... Penny consulted the other consciousness for the answer... a 'Prefect.'
Still somewhat confused, she rounded up the children and referred to a clipboard that had a list of names and dorms that she had found. Each scooted off to wherever she sent them, obviously as tired as she was. It took a while, but soon the Common Room was much less crowded.
"Good job, Penny."
She turned and squeaked at the sight of the small man with features that didn't look human. The other consciousness took over for a moment.
"Oh! Professor Flitwick! You startled me!"
"I'm sorry, my dear, I should have realized that you would be distracted and might not have known I was standing here."
"Um, it's okay, Professor."
"You look tired. Go on to bed. I've got it from here."
"Yes, Professor. Thank you."
He waved her on and she found her bed with a trunk she somehow recognized. She looked in it and got out sleepwear and her bathing essentials. Thankfully, there was an enclosed stall that surprised her. From the outside, it was tiny but inside there was much, much more room available and everyone had a private shower available! She set her things down and locked the door, hearing a dull thunk. The outside noise faded away and Penny surmised that the noise from in here wouldn't be easily heard.
She still wore her watch and figured now was as good a time as any to try to figure out what was going on. She tapped the watch face to activate it and spoke.
"Uncle Gadget? Help!"