The eagle that had normally guarded the entrance to this Hogwarts house was lying on its side when he approached, the statue having been blasted off its pedestal by some spell during the brawling fight to the death. Harry recalled standing here waiting to pick up Luna for their date as friends to Slughorn's Christmas more than a year ago. But instead of asking a riddle as it had then, the eagle now lifted its eyes to Harry and shook his head.