Chapter 6

- Riddles and Rooms -

The roof of the Great Hall was a calming midnight blue covered in soft, slow clouds. The moon, almost full, shone outside the many windows. Students were chatting avidly among each other, talking about their second day of classes.

Teddy had enjoyed his Charms class with Professor Flitwick where they'd spent the double lesson learning to turn vinegar into wine. "Now if I'm ever stuck in a desert with a lot of vinegar, I'll be fine." He'd joked beside Hermione who'd rolled her eyes, but couldn't stop from smiling. In Defense Against the Dark Arts Teddy was relieved to see that Professor Snape was in a good mood- well, better than usual, as he explained the use and conjuring of non-verbal spells, which the young sixth year took a great interest in.

Finally, they'd gotten to their last lesson of the day, Care of Magical Creatures in which they studied how to care for a Glumbumble. A weird creature that looked very similar to that of a humongous furry, black fly. After that Teddy had a free period, which he spent in his room, debating whether he should unpack or take Dumbledore's offer. Eventually, he'd made his decision.

"Alright, I've made up my mind. I'm moving into the Ravenclaw Tower." Teddy admitted taking a seat between Ron and Harry and grabbing one of the many meat pies stacked on a large plate at the Gryffindor table. "I'll be taking my stuff up after dinner."

Hermione looked up. "Where you go during full moons?"

"I'll go back into my old room for full moons, but I'll be spending other nights in the tower with the other Ravenclaws."

"Oh, well I hope it goes well."

"Me too. Anyway, how were your classes today?" He asked. He hadn't been in the same class as Harry for Dark Arts as he had been accepted into the NEWT level class. For most of the day it was just him and Ron. Harry shrugged. "It was good, Professor Snape was his usual cheery self."

"Guess he wasn't to pleased to see you in his NEWT class. Oh!" He groaned after taking a bite of his pie and the meat fell out the other side and onto his pants. "Seriously!" Ron gave a muffle giggle as Teddy grabbed a handful of napkins and began to wipe his pants frantically. "By the way how was Quidditch practice, Ron. That's what you were doing at lunch, right?"

"Yeah, it was good. I'm training to be the Keeper, the tryouts are this weekend. By the way, have you sign of for the dueling club yet?"

"Yeah, tryouts are this weekend as well."

Hermione swallowed a mouthful of her chicken pie, which she'd smartly used a knife and fork to cut. "Have you got your results back for your OWLs, Teddy?" He finished trying to wipe the stain from his robe pants and scrunched up the napkins.

"No not yet, they said I would have it by the end of the day." He ironically looked up as if expecting an owl to suddenly come flying towards him. No such luck. He looked down at his half finished pie and then at the stain on his pants. He grabbed his knife and fork and began cutting into what was left of his meal. Suddenly a huge owl, covered in thick brown feathers, landed directly on Teddy's plate, causing both the pie remains and his pumpkin juice to spill onto his pants.

"Oh come on!" He jumped up out of his seat staring at the owl, his mouth wide open. "Seriously dude?"

The owl let out a mocking hoot and frustratedly he snatched the roll of parchment from its claws. The brown owl waited as if expecting a treat of some kind. "As if!" He growled and watched indignantly as Ron and Harry each gave it a small bit of sausage which it gobbled up greedily. "RON! Harry!" But they just giggled.

The owl flew off, making Teddy flinch as its wing flapped inches from his face. He sat down on his table and immediately pushed all food and drink away from him. "This must be it." He looked over at the Hufflepuff table, where Arkie was sitting among her usual group of friends. "Hey, Arkie!" He called out. She looked up, smiling and looking excited as he pointed frantically to the parchment. She excused herself from the table and ran round to join the others. "What'd you get?"

He nervously opened it after taking two long breaths. He sat in silence reading it, a small growing on his face. "I got two an 'Outstandings' in my Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms and Potions test," he said, looking surprised. He'd though for sure he would've only passed with an 'Acceptable' in Potions. "I got a 'Poor' in Herbology as well as Divination." Arkie gave him an empathetic look. "I don't understand how you can stand around plants that bite back."

She opened her mouth to respond but then just shrugged.

"Got an 'Acceptable' in my History of Magic and Care of Magical Creatures."

"See Ron, studying does pay off!" Hermione hissed to which Ron stuck his tongue at her.

"And finally an 'Exceeds Expectations' in Transfiguration." He said satisfactorily. "Honestly, I think it's all pretty good considering I had to teach myself some of the theory."

"You did great." Arkie said, reaching across the table and taking his hand. "We're really proud of you."

"Looks like I'll be joining you, Harry, in Defense Against the Dark Arts." He said with a grin. Arkie got up, walking around the table so she could sit next him. Once she did she stared down at his pants. "Did you wet yourself?" She asked in a half-whisper. Teddy followed her gaze and growled. "No, that's a result of that bloody owl."

Ron nearly spat his pumpkin juice and instead quickly wiped his mouth at Teddy's gaze.

Teddy grunting as he lugged his suitcase out into the hall. He turned around looking in through the small door frame at his room. All that was left were barren walls, a small desk, a wardrobe, a single bed and a plate he'd used to hold food during his transformation that he'd forgotten to bring back to the kitchen. He smiled slightly, remembering all the nights he'd spent in that room. Did he truly want to leave it behind?

It'd been the place where he'd spend ever full moon, away from prying eyes, where he'd spent forever hanging up tinsel and baubles for Christmas every year. It'd been his little safe haven, where he could get away and be by himself... but he could be that anywhere, couldn't he?

There was no need to hide anymore, he was who he was and nobody could change that. Besides, soon he would graduate and would no longer have a room to hide in. Would he rather spend his last few years, cooped up in there or show off his Ravenclaw pride?

He put a hand on the door knob staring into his room one last time. "Goodbye," he said softly. "See you this full moon."

Click!

Teddy let out a tense breath he didn't even know he'd been holding in. He felt better, lighter. As if they past had all be tucked away behind that door and now he was walking down a new path. It did feel strange to walk up the steps of Hogwarts until he reached a spiral staircase, leading to a grand wooden door with no doorknob nor keyhole. Instead there was a majestic bronze knocker in the shape of a soaring eagle.

He knocked once and the eagle sprung to life. He jumped as it craned its neck to look at him. It opened his beak and spoke in a creaky voice. "If you wish to enter the Ravenclaw Common Room, first you must prove you wit and intellect and answer my riddle."

Teddy had heard before that to enter the Ranveclaw Common Room you must answer a riddle, which was why the Ravenclaw Tower was the only house common room that hadn't been broken into by another house student.

"Alright, give it to me." He said determinedly, knowing that this would eventually become annoying.

The knocked barely blinked but opened its large beak again.

"My life can be measured in hours,
I serve by being devoured.
Thin, I am quick.
Fat, I am slow.
Wind is my foe."

Teddy put down his suitcase, leaning against the stone wall to think. "Can you repeat it again?" He asked after a minute or two of thinking and coming up with nothing.

"My life can be measured in hours,
I serve by being devoured.
Thin, I am quick.
Fat, I am slow.
Wind is my foe."

"I serve by being devoured," Teddy mumbled, the door knocker watching him intently, waiting for an answer. "Wind is my foe-" He suddenly snapped his fingers, which echoed down the staircase. "I got it. The answer's a candle, right. By serving the candle wax is being devoured by the flame, which is threatened to be blown out by wind."

The eagle proudly let out a loud squawk and the door swung open slowly. He picked up his belongings and walked inside. His eyes widened as he looked around the Common Room for the first time.

The room was wide and circular with magnificent arched windows, from which he guessed would give an amazing view of the Black Lake, the Forbidden Forest, the Quidditch pitch and the Herbology gardens, with blue and bronze curtains on either side. A circular midnight blue carpet decorated the center of the room, covered in stars which reflected onto the domed ceiling. The room was furnished with tables, comfy looking chairs and couches, as well as a large golden globe in the corner, and bookcases, so many bookcases filled with books, covering the walls.

There was a door that he guessed led up to the boys and girls dormitories, in front of which stood a tall statue of Rowena Ravenclaw, the Ravenclaw founder, made of white marble. "I can't believe I've been missing all of this." He gasped then paled as he noticed all the Ravenclaws' judgmental and curious eyes were on him. "Hey, guys." He waved pathetically.

"Hello, Teddy." Luna waved back from her chair in the corner. She was the only one to reply. Most of the Ravenclaws were lying on the many chairs and couches, books covered the tables as well as copy of the Daily Prophet with a bone-chilling picture of Fenrir Greyback on the front. A few students appeared to have been peering into the two golden telescopes that'd been set up in front of the windows at the back of the Common Room. "Sorry if I'm interrupting you all, please continue with what you were doing."

He attempted to step further into the Common Room, clutching on his bag, when suddenly a tall figure blocked his path. He looked up at a tall seventh year boy, with long brown hair down to his shoulders and hazel green eyes, staring down at him. "Hi, I'm Teddy Lupin. And you are?" He asked with a smile. The boy snorted not seeming to care how he was currently invading Teddy's personal space.

"Read the badge mutt." He sneered.

Teddy's eyes shifted to the blue and gold, 'Head Boy' badge pinned to the collar of his house robes. "Oh, so your Head Boy here?"

"Name's Marcus Turner." He said smugly, standing taller than even Teddy. "And what are you doing in the Ravenclaw Tower? Don't you have your own doggy den downstairs?"

"Professor Flitwick didn't tell you?" He said, trying to keep his cool. "I'm moving in, got permission from the Headmaster himself."

"Dumbledore, is letting you stay here... among people?" Marcus couldn't seem to believe his ears. "Is he insane?"

Teddy steadied his grip on his heavy bag, still looking up the Head Boy fearlessly. He'd had to deal with worse than him before. "I think Dumbledore's just trying to make sure everybody sticks together, considering all that's happening."

He heard someone scoff in the background and he instinctively glanced at the other Ravenclaws. His gaze rested on a boy staring at him from his place alone on the couch, a large book in hand. He was the only person in the room whose face was twisted in disgust, but it wasn't very welcoming either. In fact Teddy couldn't seem to detect any sort of emotion from the boy at all.

The boy was tall yet not as tall as him. He had short curly black hair style in a small quiff that threatened to cover one of his crystal blue eyes. There was a faded scare on his chin that intrigued Teddy. The boy noticed him staring and his gaze sharpened. Teddy focused his attention back to Marcus. "Don't worry, I won't be much of a hassle and I'll spend full moons in the old room downstairs. Now if you excuse me I have to unpack, busy day tomorrow." He said with a quick nod, walking around Marcus and towards the door leading to the dormitories.

He marveled at Rowena Ravenclaw's statue as he passed by it and then disappeared up one of the staircases towards the boys dorms. As he climbed he could hear the voices of the other students in the Common Room.

"Is he nuts?"

"Walks in here like he owns the place."

"I'm telling my parents about this."

He entered a small hall with several identical doors on each side. Each door had a small golden plague on it, on the plaque were the names of the dorm's inhabitants. Each plaque had exactly five names inscribed on it in curly writing. Eventually, he reached the end of the hall and turned to the last door, with only four names written on the watched as his won name appeared at the bottom the moment he touched the doorknob.

The room resembled much of the Common Room. It was circular, with a domed starry ceiling.

Five single canopy beds were set against the walls, facing towards the center of the room where Teddy stood on top of a large circular carpet decorated with the black and blue Ravenclaw crest. At the end of each back was a large white wooden chest instead of a wardrobe.

The starry ceiling cast a beautiful glow around the room. A gigantic, heavy Ravenclaw banner hung from the incredibly tall ceiling on one side of the room beside a long bookshelf. Huge arched windows that also reached up to the ceiling, showed off the magnificent night sky outside as well as the Dark Forest below. The whole room had a royal, majestic feeling to it unlike the Gryffindor dorms that'd been more comfy and slightly crowded. "Wow!"

Despite the room being practically symmetrical, each bed, except for one at the far end of the room, was decorated differently. One had large posters of the Tutshell Tornado Quidditch logo as well as pictures of several of the team members, each one of them were signed. A broom was propped up against the bed, and a Ravenclaw Quidditch uniform had been folded up and tucked under the bed. A 'Quidditch Through The Ages' book was resting on the white pillow.

Another was surrounded by large piles of books and parchment stacked unevenly on top of each other, threatening to fall over.

Teddy looked at another bed who had what looked like a barrier of creepy looking plants surrounding it. He kept get the feeling that one of the plants, a large spiked tentacle-like shrub that kept flicking it's long spines, was staring at him.

The last bed was a mess. The covers were crushed up in a bundle on the bed and clothes were half tucked underneath it. The chest at the end was wide open, revealing hundreds upon hundreds of unopened snacks, various pranks and Quibbler tabloids.

He couldn't help but smile slightly as he walked over to the spare bed. Suddenly there was a click at the doorknob turned.