Historical Information

The room reflects all the values of its founder, Rowena Ravenclaw. It was designed to inspire the young minds with wisdom and creativity and, of course, create the perfect space to achieve academic excellence. Unlike the other houses, which are hidden behind portraits, stone walls, or barrels, the Ravenclaw Common Room is located at the very top of the Ravenclaw Tower on the west side of the castle. The entrance door is unique, though, since it is just a plain door with no handle or keyhole. Instead, there is the bronze knocker, shaped like an eagle. To enter, a student must answer a riddle coming from the eagle, mostly on the philosophical side of things. If the answer is correct, the door will open. If the student does not give the right answer, they must wait for someone else to arrive and answer the riddle for them. Rowena Ravenclaw created this rule to teach the students persistence and that learning comes best with communal effort. The Ravenclaw Common Room is a spacious, airy room with stunning views of the Hogwarts grounds, featuring blue and bronze decor and a domed ceiling with stars, plus its library.

When Harry Potter attempted to enter the Common Room with Luna Lovegood, the eagle asked:
“Which came first, the phoenix or the flame?” Luna answered, “A circle has no beginning.”

Harry was wearing his Invisibility Cloak as they tried to find Ravenclaw's Diadem (a Horcrux). They were discovered by the Death Eater Alecto Carrow, who summoned Voldemort by pressing her Dark Mark. When Amycus Carrow, Alecto's brother, spit into Professor McGonagall's face, Harry revealed himself from under the Invisibility Cloak and successfully cast Crucio on Amycus to defend McGonagall's honour.