"Alright, since you're so insistent, I'll get on with it. Tell me..." Erwin began.
Before he could finish the riddle, the door knocker interrupted. "Can we skip the bit about the chocolates brawling?"
Erwin shot back, "Mind your own business! I love a good chocolate scrap. Are you answering or not? If not, open up—I've got places to be!"
The door knocker grumbled, "Fine, fine! Answer it is. Never met a young wizard quite like you. You're a right pain."
Erwin rolled his eyes. "You sound like you're the one with the personality here. Anyway, carry on. After the chocolates trounced the egg and tomato squad, they were fuming that the egg had gone after the tomato. So, they stormed the egg's place for round two. No surprise, the chocolates won again! Still, it's all about clashing with food."
The door knocker fell silent. One minute ticked by. Then two. Five minutes dragged on.
Erwin yawned. "Come on! Are you up to the task? If not, just say so. It's been ages!"
With a heavy sigh, the door knocker conceded. "Alright, I throw in the towel. What's the answer?"
"Simple," Erwin said. "The chocolates won, so the egg lost. Egg defeat—that's the pun. Clever, isn't it? You could use a few more tricks up your sleeve, door knocker."
The door knocker let out an exasperated huff.
"Fair enough," Erwin said. "Now spill the secret you know."
"Your wit's sharp enough for it," the door knocker replied. "The truth is, Rowena Ravenclaw left a true legacy at Hogwarts—one meant only for her descendants. It was originally for Helena."
Erwin's eyes widened. "Ravenclaw's legacy? Where is it?"
The door knocker shook slightly. "No one knows for sure, but it's tied to her diadem. On her deathbed, Ravenclaw told Helena the crown would unlock her full inheritance. Details are lost to time, though whispers point to the unicorns in the Forbidden Forest."
Erwin's pulse quickened. Unicorns? He recalled the great unicorn's words from the day before. Could that be Ravenclaw's gift?
Excitement bubbled up. If true, he'd struck gold. The four founders had wielded unimaginable power—building Hogwarts alone must have cost a fortune in magic. Their era brimmed with treasures, and magical creatures roamed freely, yielding riches beyond count. Each founder commanded a quarter of the castle's might. The thought sent a thrill through him.
But the diadem? That was in the Room of Requirement—a Horcrux tied to Voldemort. Tricky business.
"You can head in now," the door knocker said. "I hope you claim that legacy someday. Though it won't be straightforward. Oh, and a tip: all four founders hid true inheritances here. Finding them's on you."
With that, the door to the common room creaked open.
Erwin stepped inside. As it swung shut behind him, he caught a faint mutter: "Blasted chocolates!"
He smirked but ignored it, taking in the Ravenclaw common room. It was a sight to behold—distinct from the Slytherin dungeons' sly green, Gryffindor's roaring red, or Hufflepuff's cozy yellow. Everything here was a deep, serene navy blue, elegant and inviting.
The space formed a perfect circle, with tall arched windows letting in soft light. Blue silk draped the walls, and overhead, the ceiling mimicked a starry night sky. A matching carpet of constellations sprawled across the floor, blending seamlessly with the illusion above. Bookshelves lined the edges, their pages whispering scents of ink and parchment.
At the far end, opposite the entrance, a niche held a pristine white marble statue of Rowena Ravenclaw herself. Behind her loomed a towering arched bookshelf, brimming with tomes. The founder of knowledge had spared no expense on her library.
The room was hushed and empty—no one stirred.
Erwin scratched his head. Hermione must be in the girls' dormitory. No doubt about it. But how to reach her?
An idea struck. He'd need the Patronus Charm—mastered ages ago but never deployed. Still, his Patronus was... unusual. He hesitated, but there was no better option.
Wand in hand, Erwin murmured, "Expecto Patronum!"
Silver mist billowed from the tip, swirling gently.
The vapor thickened, shaping into a hazy cloud that solidified into a plump, clumsy form. The instant it materialized, the creature lunged at Erwin, latching onto his leg with surprising force.
He staggered back, steadying himself. Gazing at his Patronus, he let out a resigned sigh. "Off with you, you daft thing! Take a message to the dormitory."
The Patronus poked its ample belly, then waddled off—round and wobbly—toward the stairs.
Erwin watched it go, shaking his head. A panda. His Patronus was a bamboo-munching panda, a rare creature straight out of wizarding folklore. He had no clue why it manifested that way. He adored the beasts, sure, but this one? Adorably inept. It clashed horribly with his tough reputation.
No wonder he'd shelved the spell since upgrading it. Too whimsical for his image.
Still, this version looked bulkier than the first—perhaps it had been snacking on happy memories.