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Chapter 7: Entering the Castle
Chapter 7: Entering the Castle
The chill on the platform made Liam shiver, and then a rough voice called out, "First-year students! First-year students, over here!"
Liam saw a burly man standing out among the crowd, holding a lantern. His head was covered in thick hair that almost obscured his entire face. A pair of beetle-like black eyes glinted through the tangled mass.
This must be Hagrid from Hogwarts, Liam thought. Above the throng of students, Hagrid's bearded face beamed. "Come on, follow me. Any more first-year students? Watch your step! Alright, first-year students, follow me!"
All the new students followed Hagrid down a rough, dark path, stumbling along the slope. Neville nearly slipped, but Liam caught him just in time.
"Take this turn, and you'll see Hogwarts for the first time", Hagrid called out over his shoulder.
Turning the corner, even with his soul age of over thirty and some mental preparation, Liam still joined his classmates in gasping in awe.
At the end of the narrow path, a vast black lake suddenly spread out before them. On the opposite shore, a towering castle stood majestically on a high hill, its turrets piercing the sky, and windows twinkling under the starlit sky.
"No more than four to a boat!" Hagrid shouted, pointing to a row of boats moored by the shore. Liam and Hermione climbed into a boat, and Neville joined them.
"Everyone in the boats?" Hagrid called out, taking a boat for himself. "Alright, let's go!" The boats immediately glided across the calm lake.
This must be the Sorting Ceremony, Liam thought, gazing at the towering castle and recalling the books he had read in his past life.
The four founders must have taken this same route, sailing through the Black Lake to reach Hogwarts, so the new students follow in their footsteps.
The fleet of boats approached the castle. "Heads down!" Hagrid yelled as the first boats neared the cliff. Everyone ducked, and the boats carried them through a curtain of ivy covering the cliff face, leading to a hidden, spacious entrance.
They navigated a dark tunnel that seemed to lead to the castle's underground, eventually reaching a place that resembled an underground dock. They then climbed over a stretch of gravel and small pebbles.
Following Hagrid up a stone staircase, they gathered in front of a massive oak door. "Everyone here?" Hagrid asked, then raised a huge fist and knocked three times on the castle gates.
The door swung open immediately. A tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood at the entrance, her expression stern. This must be Professor Mcgonagall.
"First-year students, Professor Mcgonagall", Hagrid said.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take it from here."
Professor Mcgonagall then gestured for all the new students to follow her. Torches blazed along the stone walls of the corridor, the ceiling was so high it seemed to touch the sky, and a grand marble staircase led up to the upper floors.
Turning a corner, Professor Mcgonagall brought the first-year students to a small, empty room at the other end of the hall. They crowded in, pressing against each other, nervously examining their surroundings, knowing that a very important moment was about to unfold.
"Welcome to Hogwarts", Professor Mcgonagall said. "The 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 crucial ceremony because, during your time at Hogwarts, your house will be like your home. You will attend classes with your housemates, share dormitories, and spend your free time in the house common room.
The names of the four houses are: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own glorious history and has produced many outstanding wizards and witches. During your time at Hogwarts, your excellent performance will earn points for your house, while any rule-breaking will result in point deductions. At the end of the year, the house with the highest score will win the House Cup, which is a great honor. I hope that, no matter which house you are sorted into, you will bring glory to it.
In a few minutes, the Sorting Ceremony will take place in front of the entire school. I suggest you use this time to tidy yourselves up and look your best.
When they are ready, I will come to fetch you. Please remain quiet while you wait.
With that, Professor Mcgonagall left the room.
The atmosphere in the small room became tense, except for Liam, who was a time traveler. Neville, standing next to him, was visibly trembling. Hermione's lips were moving, as if she were reciting something. After all, Hogwarts is the only magic school in Britain, and being expelled would be a lifelong disgrace.
Liam looked around and noticed that everyone, even those from wizarding families, was nervous. It seemed this was a traditional prank. He couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for the British sense of humor.
As everyone was feeling increasingly tense, about twenty ghosts suddenly appeared through the wall. They glided through the room, paying little attention to the first-year students. They seemed to be engaged in a heated discussion.
Suddenly, they noticed the new students. "New students!" a plump monk smiled at them. "I suppose you're about to be sorted?"
Some students nodded silently. "I hope you get sorted into Hufflepuff!" the monk said. "I used to be in that house." "Move forward now", a high-pitched voice added. "The Sorting Ceremony is about to begin."
Professor Mcgonagall returned. The ghosts drifted through the opposite wall and disappeared. "Now, form a single line", Professor Mcgonagall instructed the first-year students, "and follow me."
They passed through the entrance hall, and the doors to the Great Hall opened. The first-year students entered in a line. The Great Hall was filled with long tables adorned with golden cutlery, and students were seated along them. However, a section of each long table was left empty, presumably for the new students.
Liam looked up at the ceiling, which, through a transparent dome, showed the starry sky. It was hard to believe that this wasn't an open-air hall. Thousands of candles floated in the air, illuminating the entire Great Hall without a single drop of wax or wisp of smoke, showcasing the extraordinary magic and the school's rich history.
Hermione's voice came from beside him. "It's enchanted to look like the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts: A History."
Professor Mcgonagall placed a three-legged stool in front of the first-year students and set the Sorting Hat on it.
This must be the Sorting Hat, imbued with the wisdom of the four founders and one of the cornerstones of Hogwarts. However, the thought of this hat being used every year without ever being washed made Liam's scalp itch.
Soon, after the hat finished its annual song, Professor Mcgonagall stepped forward with a roll of parchment.
"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted."
The main event of the year, the Sorting Ceremony, had begun.
(End of Chapter)
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