Ravenclaw

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The Ravenclaw blazon.

Ravenclaw is one of the four Hogwarts houses (PS7). It is named after Rowena Ravenclaw, one of the four school founders (CS9). Ravenclaws are said to be very intelligent, intellectual and studious (PS7, GF12, OP11). The motto engraved on Ravenclaw's diadem reads "wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure" (DH29). The Ravenclaw colours are blue and bronze, and its mascot is the eagle (GF15). Its corresponding element is air (IME). The house's ghost is Rowena's daughter Helena, known as the Grey Lady (DH31).

The Ravenclaw common room is located in a tower on the west side of the castle (OP18). At the end of a long spiral staircase, there is a door with an eagle-shaped bronze knocker. When used, the eagle will ask a question and grant entrance at a correct answer. Those who fail to solve the task will have to wait for somebody else. This way, Ravenclaws are encouraged to think and learn every time they enter. The common room is a wide, circular, airy room. Arched windows provide a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains. The ceiling is domed and painted with stars. The room is furnished with tables, chairs, and bookcases. The Ravenclaw colours are represented in the midnight-blue carpet and the blue and bronze silk curtains. A tall white marble statue of Rowena Ravenclaw wearing her diadem decorates a niche opposite the entrance door. Next to the statue, there is another door that leads to the dormitories located above the common room (DH30).

Ravenclaw's current Head of House is Filius Flitwick, the Charms teacher.

Despite their intelligence and learning, the Ravenclaw students do not win the House Cup or the Quidditch Cup as often as their counterparts from Gryffindor and Slytherin. The house and its students are well respected. In the internal struggle between the houses, they usually side with Gryffindor and Hufflepuff against Slytherin (PS17, CS10, PA15, HBP14).

Seven Ravenclaws are among the original members of Dumbledore's Army (OP16); however, one of them turns traitor on the secret society and betrays them to Dolores Umbridge (OP27). The Ravenclaw students unanimously decide to side with Harry Potter before the Battle of Hogwarts. Several older Ravenclaws, although less than Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors, stay and fight (DH31).