"If the rules aren't meant to be broken, they're meaningless. A school life without nighttime outings is incomplete; nighttime outings are a sign of respect for the rules."
These words were spoken by Godric Gryffindor, the founder of Hogwarts and a renowned wizarding educator. Ryan didn't know where did the man get that wisdom, especially since school itself wasn't that common even in the Muggle world a thousand years ago, let alone in the magical world. Still, as his student, the boy couldn't help but agree with that statement.
So, on his first night back at Hogwarts, he decisively chose to go on a nighttime outing. He was walking along the silent corridors of the ancient castle. The portraits lining the corridor had long since fallen asleep, and Ryan's faint Lumos spell didn't wake them.
Around Ryan's waist hung a pendant. Emblazoned with a rather unremarkable emerald, it looked unremarkable. But only Ryan knew it was a magical item—the Perception Pendant.
It was one of the magical items left for him in the vault by his four teachers. Its function was to detect approaching humans. When someone approached, the pendant would flash a green light, calming the wearer and enabling them to respond to danger.
Ryan had studied this item before the start of school. He believed it likely employed the alchemy of the Looking Glass, incorporating a Stabilizing Charm and a Figure Tracking Charm—perhaps even something soul-related—since it detected not only the body but also the soul.
Based on the inscription on the pendant, he concluded it was likely crafted jointly by Slytherin and Ravenclaw.
With it, Ryan could prevent potential sneak attacks on his nighttime wanderings—especially from being caught by the night watchman, Filch.
"I heard he even has people cleaning the dirtiest toilets... that doesn't sound good," Ryan muttered to himself about the Squib, continuing his pace.
The paths within Hogwarts were complex and treacherous. Even a young wizard wouldn't be able to find their way through the entire school year without getting lost. But for Ryan, navigating the castle felt like returning home. He could even clearly count the number of staircases within the castle—142, having designed them one by one with Ravenclaw.
Navigating the various hidden passages, he soon reached the seventh floor. The corridor on the eighth floor was shorter than the others. Around a corner, Ryan spotted a painting. The title—Barnabas the Barmy Trying to Teach Trolls Ballet—was engraved beneath the frame.
It depicted a wizard being beaten by six giant clubs wearing ballet slippers. He threw up his hands, screaming and running away, looking utterly ridiculous.
Ryan glanced at the painting briefly before turning to look at the other side—a blank wall, and then, he slowly closed his eyes.
"A treasure left to Ryan Elias by Mrs. Rowena Ravenclaw," he concentrated, repeating the phrase silently three times. Then, on the wall before him, a sleek door materialized, like a painting. "Sure enough... Mrs. Rowena succeeded!" Ryan marveled inwardly.
He knew this door, and he knew the room beyond it. He had heard Miss Ravenclaw say she wanted to build a room in Hogwarts to store precious magic books and tools belonging to the Founders.
"It's a room where your wishes come true. Everything in it can come and go freely. It has no key. Opening it requires wisdom and unique ideas," she had said, and she told Ryan the method she had already devised. "Just say it three times in your mind—that's the magic number."
But at the time, the room was just a concept. At least until Ryan returned to 1991, Ravenclaw hadn't completed it. But Ryan already knew where Ravenclaw planned to place it.
"It's the fruit of wisdom, so it should be contrasted with stupidity."
And the stupidest thing in all of Hogwarts was, of course, the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy Trying to Teach Trolls Ballet —what could be more foolish than trying to teach a troll to dance?
So, Ryan came here. He felt that if Ravenclaw had truly left him a treasure within Hogwarts, it might be in this room. So now, he was very proud for his success in deciphering the mystery.
"Ravenclaw's wisdom... it seems I've inherited it perfectly!" He pushed open the door triumphantly, and then he was stunned. The room he had opened was empty. The room didn't even have a floor; Ryan seemed to be suspended in mid-air.
He looked up at the 'ceiling'—a starry sky. Countless stars shone brightly in the pitch-black room.
"Was I wrong?" Ryan's elation vanished.
He could almost see the great witch walk out of the room and say to him coldly, "Being swayed by emotions before seeing the results—you're still a long way off, Ryan."
"..."
And with that, Ryan silently left the room. Watching the door before him slowly disappear, Ryan took a deep breath. He still had no intention of changing his mind; he still believed the treasure Ravenclaw had left him was in this room.
So...
"Things left behind by Rowena Ravenclaw," he repeated silently three times. Then, when he opened his eyes, the sleek door appeared before him again. Ryan opened it again, and this time, the sight behind it didn't disappoint.
He found himself in a vast room filled with various objects.
There was a crystal ball—Ryan recognized it; it was the kind Mrs. Rowena used for divination, from a magical settlement in Rwanda, Africa.
There was a jeweled monocle—the kind Mrs. Rowena loved to wear while reading.
There were spellbooks—Ryan saw many he had seen before.
There were cauldrons, chainmail books, and spoons. Ryan even saw many helmets and pieces of armor.
"After I left, Mrs. Rowena became fascinated with these things again?" Ryan wasn't surprised. In his memory, Ravenclaw was just like that. She was insatiably curious about all knowledge, a keen investigative spirit. But the thought inevitably brought back memories of the Sorting Hat's memories, and his mood went south instantly.
That great witch was dead.
Upon realizing this, Ryan, whose heart was once filled with nostalgia, suddenly became gloomy. He stopped thinking and silently moved around the room. He tried hard to suppress his sorrow, searching for a treasure that might be left for him.
Soon, Ryan saw something.
It was a crown, nestled among a pile of chainmail figurines. Crafted entirely of mithril, its surface was intricately engraved and inlaid with blue lapis lazuli—its jade a depth like the sky. Atop the crown sat an eagle's head, its wings woven from vine-like fabric. Ryan didn't even need to approach to recognize the words engraved within the crown.
Extraordinary wisdom is mankind's greatest treasure.
It was one of Ravenclaw's most prized chainmail creations, imbued with her wisdom.
"Could this be her crown, the one she left me?" Ryan approached it, pondering.
But it was at this moment...
"Come... Come..." A low murmur entered Ryan's mind. "Ryan Elias… I can sense you—great ambition, outstanding talent." The voice was wet, gloomy, and cold, like the hissing of a snake. "Take me, possess me, follow me... I will lead you to accomplish great things. I will take you—a leap over death."
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Author's note
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