Bab 6: Superb Control of Magic
After singing the horrible school song, if you call it that, the first years followed the fifth-year prefects to the Ravenclaw tower. They climbed a spiral staircase called the Ravenclaw staircase, which had no reason to be named in the first place and reached a door with a bronze eagle knocker.
The attractive girl prefect named Penelope Clearwater explained, "Unlike the other houses, who all have concealed entrances to their common rooms, we don't need one. The door to our common room lies at the top of a tall, winding staircase. It has no handle, but an enchanted bronze knocker in the shape of an eagle. When you rap on the door, this knocker will ask you a question, and if you can answer it correctly, you are allowed in. This simple barrier has kept out everyone but Ravenclaws for nearly a thousand years.
"But what if we can't answer the question?" A girl asked nervously.
"Some first-years are scared by having to answer the eagle's questions but don't worry. Ravenclaws learn quickly, and you'll soon enjoy the challenges the door sets. It's not unusual to find twenty people standing outside the common room door, all trying to work out the answer to the day's question together. This is a great way to meet fellow Ravenclaws from other years and to learn from them – although it is a bit annoying if you've forgotten your Quidditch robes and need to get in and out in a hurry. In fact, I'd advise you to triple-check your bag for everything you need before leaving Ravenclaw Tower." Penelope answered which almost made Aren snort in disbelieve, truly the stupidity of the wizarding world is contagious that no one from the other houses has managed to get in their common room. Not to mention that she expects these brats to be blooming little genius that can do anything just because they have sorted here after all not everyone is the smartest tool in the shed.
She knocked the knocker which asked a riddle in return,
"What has roots as nobody sees,
Is taller than trees,
Up, up it goes,
And yet never grows?"
"Answer this first year. It's not that hard!" encouraged the male prefect who was called Rob Something.
The answer was obviously a mountain, but it should be a little difficult for these brats. Now that he thinks about it can it even differentiate between the students and ask riddles according to their caliber.
"A mountain!" The perfect answered when no one volunteered. The knocker agreed and granted permission to enter.
"Don't worry. You will learn soon." Penelope assured them.
They entered the Ravenclaw common room. The first years looked around, assessing the room that will be their home for the next seven years. The common room had a few senior Ravenclaws in it who were busy doing their homework. It is a wide, circular room with a midnight blue carpet, arched windows hung with blue and bronze silks, and a domed ceiling painted with stars. A large statue of Rowena Ravenclaw made of white marble stood next to a door.
Aren was immediately impressed with the common room. It was quite airy and looked peaceful.
"Okay first years, gather round!" Rob called out to everyone before starting. "This is the Ravenclaw common room. The arched windows set into the walls of our circular common room look down at the school grounds: the lake, the Forbidden Forest, the Quidditch pitch and the Herbology gardens. No other house in the school has such stunning views. Without wishing to boast, this is the house where the cleverest witches and wizards live."
'Ya Right!' Aren cringed.
"Rowena Ravenclaw our founder prized learning above all else, therefore our house is also the house of eccentrics. Thus, as geniuses, we are often out of step from the common people, and unlike the other houses who impose their ideas on others, we think you've got the right to decide for yourself decided what is best for you because we at our hearts are a scholar. That is why you can wear what you like, believe what you want, and say what you feel. We aren't put off by people who march to a different tune; on the contrary, we value them!" Rob passionately encouraged as he continued.
"Therefore, don't be afraid of being eccentric or others criticism. Keep it in mind that anything worth doing attracts admiration and criticism. So, don't void their criticism but be inspired by their constructive criticism and seek improvement. Speaking of eccentrics, Our Head of the house, Professor Filius Flitwick. People often underestimate him, because he's tiny (we think he's a part elf, but we've never been rude enough to ask) and he's got a squeaky voice, but he's the best and most knowledgeable Charms master alive in the world today. His office door is always open to any Ravenclaw with a problem, and if you're in a real state he'll get out these delicious little cupcakes he keeps in a tin in his desk drawer and make them do a little dance for you. In fact, it's worth pretending you're in a real state just to see them jive. Ravenclaw house has an illustrious history. Most of the greatest wizarding inventors and innovators were in our house, including Perpetua Fancourt, the inventor of the lunascope, Laverne de Montmorency, a great pioneer of love potions, and Ignatia Wildsmith, the inventor of Floo powder. Famous Ravenclaw Ministers for Magic include Millicent Bagnold, who was in power on the night that Harry Potter survived the Dark Lord's curse and defended the wizarding celebrations all over Britain with the words, 'I assert our inalienable right to party'. In fact, we are also the house that gave the wizarding world Uric the Oddball, who used a jellyfish for a hat. He's the punch line of a lot of wizarding jokes." Rob proudly claimed as he finishes with his speech.
Aren didn't know whether he should praise his charisma or his stupidity for telling all that to a bunch of brats. But one thing was clear, that Rob had now had full and complete attention. The person in question unconsciously shivered as if someone walked over his grave.
The Girl perfect Penelope not wanting to be left in the dust decided this moment to interject, "As for our relationship with the other three houses: well, you've probably heard about the Slytherins. They're not all bad, but you'd do well to be on your guard until you know them well. They've got a long house tradition of doing whatever it takes to win, so watch out, especially in Quidditch matches and exams.
The Gryffindors are bearable, If I had to criticize them, I'd say Gryffindors tend to be show-offs. But they aren't as much tolerant as we are of people who are different; in fact, they've been known to make jokes about Ravenclaws who have developed an interest in levitation, or the possible magical uses of troll bogies. Gryffindors don't share the same intellectual curiosity as us so stay alert and keep your distance where necessary."
Padme snorted at that. "Really? Making notes on how magical bogies can be used?" she whispered to Aren with a grin which Aren returned.
"In fact, you'll probably find a few people here to help you if you are willing to collaborate. As for the Hufflepuffs, well, nobody could say they're not nice people. In fact, they're some of the nicest people in the school. Let's just say you needn't worry too much about them when it comes to competition at exam time. I think that's nearly everything."
"Oh yes, our house ghost is the Grey Lady. The rest of the school thinks she never speaks, but she'll talk to Ravenclaws. She's particularly useful if you're lost, or you've mislaid something. I'm sure you'll have a good night. Our dormitories are in turrets off the main tower; our four-poster beds are covered in sky blue silk eiderdowns and the sound of the wind whistling around the windows is very relaxing. And once again; Welcome on becoming a member of the cleverest, quirkiest and most interesting house at Hogwarts." She concluded.
Aren added her to the same list as Rob. A girl like her should be able to make some beautiful moans when he invites her for a little drink. With them around, he would not be having a lack of companions to socialize with. Maybe they can compare notes on social norms. Ah! The fun they will have.
"Now off to bed! Boys to the left and girls to the right. The lowest room is for the first years, above it the second years and so on. Breakfast starts at 8 am. You will get your timetables tomorrow at is at 8 pm. Good night." Rob informed them.
The best part about being in this House was that he would get a room for himself, therefore complete privacy with no one to disturb him should he bring anyone here to play with Aren mused, but the room is not secure enough, the house elves that clean the rooms will immediately report and misgivings or he might trigger some wards which may alert the headmaster.
When he entered his room, he realized that it was rather tiny, but there was nothing a few enlargement charms couldn't fix. He called for a house-elf who expanded the room to a large size, arranged his clothes in the cupboard and removed other necessities for him to use in the morning. Aren also requested that the room should also be sound proved. A request the Elf was more than happy to oblige.
The house elves answered the call of anyone who called them. It isn't necessary that you must know their name. Thus, they were more than happy to help, but very few students seem too aware of their presence in the castle. However, why they don't use them to make their lives easier was something beyond his understanding, or they just didn't realize it, or they were just plain stupid.
Oh well! Their loss Aren mused. Once done, he stripped off his clothes and went to bed.
The next morning, Aren getting dressed walked down to the Great Hall for Breakfast. Aren ignored most of the conservation between his housemates as he ate but someone just had to be stubborn.
"Hello, Names Bell, Nice to meet ya." Bell greeted.
"Hi, I am Aren, Nice to met you too." Aren smiled as they shook hands. Bell was a friendly fellow who just can't stay silent. Well, at least he tried to be a friend so who was he to refuse.
The star of the story Mr. Harry Potter finally made is an entrance with the red-haired brat tagging along like a lost puppy. They waved at each other when they noticed the other before minding their own business. Bell just had to get excited as if knowing Harry was a big deal but Aren ignored him as he accepted his timetable from Professor Flitwick.
"So, you excited about classes?" Bell asked, wanting to avoid asking Aren awkward questions.
"Yes." Came the short reply.
The first class he had was Herbology with the Slytherins. Harry hadn't learned much Herbology before even if he had read books on the subject. Practical Herbology was something he didn't care about, but ingredients and their properties were very important for Potions. Professor Sprout was a cheerful woman who asked them to form groups of four.
Aren immediately joined Daphne Greengrass and Tracy Davis along with bell who tagged along thus taking the girls completely by surprise, but they didn't object. Tracy was a chatterbox, therefore, she got along with bell while Daphne was more of a silent type and only speaking when directly spoken too. They were an odd group, two Muggle-borns, Half-blood, and a Pureblood. The irony was not lost on him, but Aren was nothing if not resourceful. Aren had plenty of charisma in spades therefore by the end of the class they had become good friends. Connections were important after all. Unlike the rest of the student body who were unconcerned about matters outside their house, he would rather not be left in the dark.
After class Aren went exploring Hogwarts with Bell before they joined Harry in charms class. The poor boy was still insecure and had trouble making friends. Well, Dursleys training could not be undone within a single day otherwise he would be bored to death.
After a quick introduction of his new friend bell waited for professor Filius to arrive and start the class. Performing his first spell proved to be difficult as no matter how much he pronounced the spell the feather refused to bulge. The wand in his hands was nothing more than a useless piece of stick. Taking a deep breath Aren calmed down and started from the beginning. However, his efforts were in vain.
'It is as if something was missing but what is it? The problem is not with the pronunciation or the wand movements, So the problem should be with me.' Aren theorized.
'If so then what am I doing wrong? Magic is basically about will and intent, So, do I lack the will and intent necessary. Aha! It's not that I lack the will and intent but rather I subconsciously reject reality itself. Its as if everything is a big dream from which I will eventually wake up from in a hospital remembering nothing. So, all I have to do is...' Aren pointed his wand at the feather which immediately floated in the air catching the professor's attention.
"Well done Mr. Blood. That will be 5 points to Ravenclaw." Filius praised as he rewarded point. He was the fifth person to complete the task.
"Nice work Aren." Harry and Bell congratulated.
"Yah! Well done mate." Ron immediately followed suit.
Learning from his experience Aren gave them some pointers. Harry succeeded in performing the Spell before the class ended while Bell only made it float for a second or two however Ron continued pronounced the spelling wrong which Aren didn't bother to correct.
"Aren why doesn't it work for me." Ron finally asked for advice, but before Aren could reply. Hermione had already responded with her bossy tone that he was pronouncing the spelling wrong which Aren took as his clue to relax and take a nap as they bickered while Harry tried to mediate. Poor Bell could only look on awkwardly as he was completely ignored.
The group had to separate as the Gryffindor's had to leave for their potions class while they had transfiguration class with the Hufflepuffs. Aren was surprised to find a cat sitting on the table. It seems Professor McGonagall had developed a healthy habit of starting the first year's class with a nice demonstration.
After the Enlightenment he had in the charms it was simply a breeze for him to perform basic magic. Basic in the sense that he had yet to experiment or rather know the limits of his ability for the moment.
What he had achieved was complete control over his magic, rather he had established a firm hold over his will and intent in the use of magic.
If an individual were simply to use magic to concentrate upon their desires and will, they would at least clarify what it is they want. However, the question is if it works for you, which won't, then you have not clarified your desires properly. This is not a bad thing you just have to establish proper control over your magic. To do that you need to have to proper intent. Whether magic is black or white depends on the intent of the user. All magic is neutral just like all power is neutral. Magic can help to manifest intentions.
However, the wizarding world provides the proper environment of nurturing their community into believing that magic has certain rules and regulations. So how can a community do magic which they themselves consider impossible? He had only succeeded due to being an adult mentally otherwise he too would have followed the norms of the wizarding world.
Regardless of how many times you pronounce a certain spell it won't work if you don't believe it won't, therefore intent and will have a very important role in performing magic. However, Aren had still yet to access his magical core, therefore, he is still depended on his wand. Without it he is defenseless.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone