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 the means of transportation for the first-year students' boats at Hogwarts. He initially assumed it was magic, but now he had his doubts. After observing for a long time, he couldn't find any traces of magic on the boats.
And then there was Hagrid, a nearly four-meter-tall half-giant who was visibly heavier than the four first-year students, yet his boat's draft was identical to the others, which was clearly abnormal.
Of course, it was possible that these boats were imbued with more advanced and hidden magic, or perhaps they were some kind of alchemical artifact, but Kyle preferred to believe that something was supporting the boats from beneath the lake.
"Is it that giant squid?"
He leaned over to take a look below the water's surface, but the visibility in the dark lake at night was too low, and he could only see his own reflection.
...
Soon, the boat left the tunnel and docked at a place resembling an underground pier.
Everyone disembarked and climbed up a patch of ground paved with cobblestones with Hagrid, eventually reaching a flat, damp grassy area below Hogwarts Castle.
Then, they followed a stone staircase to a massive oak door.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," Hagrid said, turning around and raising his enormous fist to knock three times on the castle gate.
The gate opened in response.
A mature cat in a robe...cough, a black-haired witch, stood at the gate.
It's undeniable that some people have a natural aura of silence when they appear, just like a homeroom teacher appearing at the back door window, causing anyone who sees them to unconsciously close their mouth.
Professor McGonagall was no exception.
As soon as she appeared, the surrounding chatter abruptly ceased.
Even Hagrid became noticeably more restrained, speaking solemnly, "The first-year students have arrived, Professor McGonagall."
"Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take it from here."
Professor McGonagall glanced at the crowd and then opened the gate, leading them into the castle.
The stone walls surrounding the castle were lit by blazing torches, and a wave of heat washed over them, dispelling the cold outside and providing relief to many of the shivering young wizards.
To their right was a closed gate, and Kyle could clearly hear the buzzing voices within.
However, Professor McGonagall didn't stop there but led them to an empty room at the other end of the hall.
"First of all, welcome to Hogwarts."
As the crowd surveyed their surroundings, Professor McGonagall skillfully delivered her annual opening speech.
"The Welcoming Feast is about to begin, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, we need to determine which of you will be sorted into which house. Sorting is a very important ceremony because your house will be like your home at Hogwarts during your time here..."
Although Kyle was already well-informed about this aspect, he listened attentively.
He couldn't afford to be inattentive, standing in the front row right under Professor McGonagall's nose. If he were to daydream at this moment, his life at Hogwarts would become much more difficult.
Additionally, this was a significant moment, and there was only one chance to witness it. Kyle didn't want to miss it.
At this point, Professor McGonagall had finished introducing the House Cup and began describing the four houses.
They were Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin.
Or, to put it more simply, the brave, the gluttonous, the studious, and the pure-blooded.
When she mentioned this, the young wizards around them all listened intently, their eyes filled with longing, and they couldn't help but glance toward the Great Hall from time to time, eager to rush in at the next moment.
As they waited, it was clear what everyone was most excited about.
"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," said Professor McGonagall. "I'll come for you when they're ready." She glanced at the group, "And remember to stay quiet while you wait."
Unnecessary as it was, Professor McGonagall's final words instantly lifted the silence in the room as soon as she left.
The young witches and wizards gathered, buzzing with excitement, eagerly discussing what might happen next.
"How will we be sorted? Do we get to choose?" asked a nervous young witch.
This was the question on everyone's mind.
"Maybe there'll be some kind of test, like at Smelting School," a Muggle-born wizard turned to his companions and shouted, "I was already accepted to Smelting School when I got my Hogwarts letter, but I chose to come here... I mean, Professor McGonagall convinced my mom. She wanted me to go to Smelting School."
He was showing off, but it didn't have the desired effect.
After all, everyone was focused on the Sorting, who cared about Smelting School? Some didn't even know what it was.
"I think the Heads of Houses will choose their own students," someone declared confidently. "That's how Ifanomi does it, but they use statues. My dad is friends with the Head of the International Magical Cooperation Office at the Ministry. He told me."
He was showing off his dad.
Compared to the previous theories, his words carried more weight, instantly gaining a large following.
This made him incredibly proud, and he walked around with his head held high, telling everyone about his dad.
Some might even think his dad was the Minister of Magic.
At that moment, Kyle felt someone tugging at his robe sleeve. He turned to see Conna looking at him anxiously.
"Kyle, is it really the Heads of Houses who choose?" Conna asked nervously. "What if no House wants me? Will I be expelled?"
"Don't worry, that won't happen," Kyle reassured her with a smile. "Think about it, Ifanomi and Hogwarts are two different schools. How could they use the same Sorting method? That would be so uncool."
"Oh..."
Conna breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "Then how do you think we'll be sorted?"
"I know," Kyle said, deciding to be honest. He leaned in and whispered to Conna, "It's nothing much. Each of us will get hit by the Avada Kedavra Curse from a professor. Those who survive will be admitted. Don't worry, you won't be expelled."
Just then, a ghost happened to float by.
Kyle turned and waved casually, "Hello, Senior. We're about to be sorted too. Wish us luck."
The ghost, unable to understand the young wizard's words, instinctively nodded in response.
Seeing this, Conna's eyes lost their sparkle, and she stood there, dazed.
(End of Chapter)
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