Showing Our Colors

Rowena Ravenclaw Revealed
Catriona Watson, Cheyenne Wyatt, Chryseis McSylvester, Gypsy Ardor, Rachel Bluebird

The recent discovery of the reclusive founder’s heavily warded and cleverly disguised private rooms has led to reams of information about the legendary Rowena Ravenclaw. Rowena Ravenclaw was previously the most mysterious of the four founders of Hogwarts. According to the secretive Sorting Hat, Ravenclaw was from "glen" and valued intelligence and the drive to learn most of all in her students--traits for which the house bearing her name remains famous. Until now, rumors have abounded about the cryptic founder, but little has been proven.

The discovery of Ravenclaw's rooms was made, appropriately, by a group of Ravenclaw sixth years, looking for a quiet place to study. While the students have been kept away from reporters (Professor Minerva McGonagall cites their need to study), inside sources say that the intrepid group followed clues throughout the castle to find the rooms. According to a Ravenclaw student who wished to remain anonymous, the group began their search with a slip of paper wedged into a crack behind the giant hourglasses that mark points (an idea rumored to be Ravenclaw’s), and proceeded to follow clues from there. When their discovery was revealed to professors, magical archivists immediately cordoned off the area and began excavation, carefully documenting and preserving everything they found.

Ravenclaw’s private papers reveal that she was fond of music and art, and was very dear friends with Helga Hufflepuff. Her animagus was an eagle, now the mascot of the house she founded. Madam Ravenclaw selected her students carefully, choosing in them creativity, intelligence, and diligence, apparently believing those qualities to be the most important for a student. For centuries since she founded the Hogwarts house, her students have been known for innovations in a variety of fields, and present day Ravenclaws are widely sought for their intelligence and problem-solving skills.

Also of great value are Ravenclaw’s original plans for Hogwarts. Widely believed to have designed Hogwart’s ever changing staircases, experts now have proof. In her study archivists have found plans for the staircases, a variety of notes on spells, and even a few model stairs (some still moving!). Long believed by generations of Hogwarts students to be completely random, the logic behind the movement of the staircases is far more complex than ever considered. Preliminary studies of Madam Ravenclaw’s notes reveal that the staircases function by the needs and desires of the person on them, whether they are aware of it or not.

Among the drawings found in Ravenclaw’s study were plans for Hogwarts. Some little more than crude sketches, others elaborate magical plans. These fascinating drawings are in four different hands and show a variety of ideas for Hogwarts, gradually merging to the current day plans. It is rumored that some drawings reveal every secret room and passageway in Hogwarts, but this is unconfirmed by the archivists.

Controversy surrounds the excavation of the founder’s private rooms. Opponents say that Ravenclaw’s wishes should be respected. Given that her rooms were so carefully disguised, clearly they were never meant for public eyes. Others say this is a rare, precious discovery and that Rowena Ravenclaw would encourage learning as much as possible about her and Hogwarts. As a point to this argument, one must note that Ravenclaw’s belongings were remarkably well preserved. Those in favor of the excavation also note that Ravenclaw was fond of creating puzzles, and the entrance to her rooms and her private documents was the reward to perhaps the greatest puzzlebox ever created--Hogwarts itself.

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Notes The Alte Sententiam is Ravenclaw's running newspaper. Alte Sententiam means 'Higher Thoughts' and its current co-editors-in-chief are Chloe Fairchilde and Cassandra Lobiesk. Articles Mythos of the Unicorn The Moon's Madness Scientifics Avoiding Stereotypes Reviews Heroes, the New Television Phenomenon Contests These submissions were from the BBO run during November and December. Team Sensuous SENSA Team Flitwick's Flock Team Soaring Six Team The Talons Team Silver Crumpets Specials These ads have been provided by Professor Ulol Kimil, please contact him if you have any information on the missing objects. Lost: Maya's Brain Poem Showcase Dance of the Night Info Updates Archives FAQ Staff The Roost HOL Points The points breakdown is as follows (per issue): Article Submission: 5 points for each published (not to exceed 20) Graphics Submission: 5 points for each published (not to exceed 20) Editors: Up to 30 points	Showing Our Colors Rowena Ravenclaw Revealed Catriona Watson, Cheyenne Wyatt, Chryseis McSylvester, Gypsy Ardor, Rachel Bluebird The recent discovery of the reclusive founder’s heavily warded and cleverly disguised private rooms has led to reams of information about the legendary Rowena Ravenclaw. Rowena Ravenclaw was previously the most mysterious of the four founders of Hogwarts. According to the secretive Sorting Hat, Ravenclaw was from "glen" and valued intelligence and the drive to learn most of all in her students--traits for which the house bearing her name remains famous. Until now, rumors have abounded about the cryptic founder, but little has been proven. The discovery of Ravenclaw's rooms was made, appropriately, by a group of Ravenclaw sixth years, looking for a quiet place to study. While the students have been kept away from reporters (Professor Minerva McGonagall cites their need to study), inside sources say that the intrepid group followed clues throughout the castle to find the rooms. According to a Ravenclaw student who wished to remain anonymous, the group began their search with a slip of paper wedged into a crack behind the giant hourglasses that mark points (an idea rumored to be Ravenclaw’s), and proceeded to follow clues from there. When their discovery was revealed to professors, magical archivists immediately cordoned off the area and began excavation, carefully documenting and preserving everything they found. Ravenclaw’s private papers reveal that she was fond of music and art, and was very dear friends with Helga Hufflepuff. Her animagus was an eagle, now the mascot of the house she founded. Madam Ravenclaw selected her students carefully, choosing in them creativity, intelligence, and diligence, apparently believing those qualities to be the most important for a student. For centuries since she founded the Hogwarts house, her students have been known for innovations in a variety of fields, and present day Ravenclaws are widely sought for their intelligence and problem-solving skills. Also of great value are Ravenclaw’s original plans for Hogwarts. Widely believed to have designed Hogwart’s ever changing staircases, experts now have proof. In her study archivists have found plans for the staircases, a variety of notes on spells, and even a few model stairs (some still moving!). Long believed by generations of Hogwarts students to be completely random, the logic behind the movement of the staircases is far more complex than ever considered. Preliminary studies of Madam Ravenclaw’s notes reveal that the staircases function by the needs and desires of the person on them, whether they are aware of it or not. Among the drawings found in Ravenclaw’s study were plans for Hogwarts. Some little more than crude sketches, others elaborate magical plans. These fascinating drawings are in four different hands and show a variety of ideas for Hogwarts, gradually merging to the current day plans. It is rumored that some drawings reveal every secret room and passageway in Hogwarts, but this is unconfirmed by the archivists. Controversy surrounds the excavation of the founder’s private rooms. Opponents say that Ravenclaw’s wishes should be respected. Given that her rooms were so carefully disguised, clearly they were never meant for public eyes. Others say this is a rare, precious discovery and that Rowena Ravenclaw would encourage learning as much as possible about her and Hogwarts. As a point to this argument, one must note that Ravenclaw’s belongings were remarkably well preserved. Those in favor of the excavation also note that Ravenclaw was fond of creating puzzles, and the entrance to her rooms and her private documents was the reward to perhaps the greatest puzzlebox ever created--Hogwarts itself.