Chapter 16: If You Can't Beat Them, Join Them
Chapter 16: If You Can't Beat Them, Join Them
Kyle had always been curious about what propelled the small boats that carried first-years to Hogwarts. He had assumed it was magic, but now he wasn't so sure. No matter how long he observed, he couldn't detect any traces of magic emanating from the boats.
And then there was Hagrid, a half-giant who stood nearly four meters tall and clearly weighed more than the four first-year witches and wizards combined, yet his boat sat at the same water level as the others. This seemed highly irregular.
Of course, it was possible that the boats were imbued with more advanced and subtle magic, or perhaps they were enchanted with alchemy. But Kyle preferred to believe that something beneath the lake was supporting the boats.
"The giant squid, perhaps?"
He leaned over to peer into the water, but the visibility in the dark lake at night was extremely poor, and he could see nothing but his own reflection.
...
Soon, the boats left the tunnel and docked at what appeared to be an underground pier.
Everyone disembarked and followed Hagrid up a pebble-strewn path to a flat, damp patch of grass below Hogwarts Castle.
From there, they ascended a set of stone steps to a massive oak door.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," Hagrid said, turning to knock thrice on the castle door with his enormous fist.
The door swung open.
A mature cat...cough...a black-haired witch, stood before them.
It had to be said that some people exuded an aura of silence upon their entrance, much like a homeroom teacher appearing at the back door of a classroom, causing everyone to unconsciously shut their mouths.
Professor McGonagall was one such person.
The moment she appeared, the surrounding chatter ceased abruptly.
Even Hagrid became noticeably more restrained, saying solemnly, "The first-year students have arrived, Professor McGonagall."
"Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take it from here," Professor McGonagall said, giving them all a once-over before ushering them through the door and into the castle.
The stone walls of the castle were lined with blazing torches, sending waves of heat that dispelled the cold from outside and soothed the shivering witches and wizards who had been freezing on the lake.
To their right was a closed door from which Kyle could clearly hear a buzzing of voices.
However, Professor McGonagall did not stop there but led them to an empty room at the other end of the hall.
"First of all, welcome to Hogwarts," she said, delivering the annual opening speech as the students surveyed their surroundings.
"The start-of-term feast is about to begin, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you must be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be like your family within Hogwarts..."
Although Kyle was already well-versed in this aspect of Hogwarts life, he listened intently nonetheless.
He had no choice but to pay attention, standing as he was in the front row, directly under Professor McGonagall's gaze. If he dared to slack off now, his life at Hogwarts would become very difficult indeed.
Besides, this was a famous scene, and he only had one chance to experience it. Kyle wasn't about to miss out.
At that moment, Professor McGonagall had finished explaining the House Cup and had begun introducing the four houses.
Namely Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin.
Or, to put it more simply, hotheads, foodies, bookworms, and purebloods.
...
"In a few minutes, the Sorting Ceremony will take place in front of the entire school. I suggest you take this time to freshen up and compose yourselves," Professor McGonagall advised. "I'll come and get you once everything is ready." She gave them a final look. "Please remain quiet while you wait."
It had to be said that Professor McGonagall's last sentence was a bit redundant. As soon as she left the room, the excited whispers erupted.
The group of young witches and wizards huddled together, eagerly discussing what was about to happen.
"How will we be Sorted?" asked a nervous little witch. "Do we get to choose?"
This was the question on everyone's mind.
"Maybe there will be some sort of test, like at Smeting Academy," a Muggle-born wizard spoke up, turning to his companions. "I had already been accepted to Smeting when I got my letter from Hogwarts, but I chose to come here... I mean, Professor McGonagall convinced my mom. She wanted me to go to Smeting at first."
He was trying to brag about his accomplishments, but it fell flat.
After all, everyone was focused on the Sorting, and no one really cared about Smeting Academy, plus some of them had no idea what it was.
"I think it's more likely that the heads of the houses will choose their students," someone else declared confidently. "That's how it's done at Ilvermorny. My dad is friends with the Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation at the Ministry, and he told me all about it."
This was a clear case of name-dropping.
However, compared to the previous suggestion, his words carried more weight, and he instantly gained a large following.
He became quite proud and boasted about his father to anyone who would listen.
If one didn't know better, they might think his father was the Minister of Magic.
Just then, Kyle felt someone tugging on his robe sleeve. He turned to see Connor looking at him anxiously.
"Kyle, is it really up to the heads of the houses?" Connor asked, worried. "What if no house wants me? Will I be expelled?"
"Don't worry, that won't happen," Kyle reassured with a smile. "Think about it, Ilvermorny and Hogwarts are two different schools. They can't possibly use the same Sorting method, that would be so unoriginal."
"Oh... okay."
Connor breathed a sigh of relief. "So, do you know how we'll be Sorted?"
"Well..."
Kyle thought for a moment and decided to be honest. He leaned in close to Connor's ear and whispered, "It's nothing much. Professor McGonagall will just cast the Avada Kedavra curse on each of us, and those who survive will be admitted. Don't worry, you won't be expelled."
...
Just then, a ghost happened to float by in front of them.
Kyle turned and waved casually. "Hello, senior. We're about to be Sorted too. Wish us luck!"
Although the ghost couldn't understand what the young wizard was saying, he instinctively nodded in response when addressed.
Seeing this, the light in Connor's eyes dimmed, and he stood there, dazed and lost in thought.
(End of Chapter)
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