Sorting Ceremony

The temperature on the lake was several degrees lower than elsewhere, and with the cold wind, the frail Hermione had no choice but to huddle against Harry.

Harry instinctively shielded Miss Otter from the icy wind. With his physique, such cold was no threat to him at all.

Suddenly, a distinct splash rippled across the water. Harry looked in that direction and caught sight of a Giant Squid that vanished in a flash.

He sensed a faint magical fluctuation from the squid, much like the magical fluctuation from Scabbers, the gray rat.

However, this Giant Squid was clearly far more powerful than Scabbers, perhaps as powerful as dozens of Scabbers combined.

Even though the Giant Squid was powerful, Harry was not alarmed. Instead, he studied it curiously.

This Giant Squid had clearly lived in the Black Lake for a long time. It was a Magical Creature tamed by Hogwarts and would never attack a Young Wizard.

It would even rescue Young Wizards who fell into the water, and at ordinary times, it would approach them so they could scratch its tentacles.

Harry had read all this in Hogwarts: An Incomplete and Unreliable History.

When the foremost boats neared a cliff, Hagrid's voice rang out again. "Duck!"

Everyone lowered their heads. Only after the boats passed through a curtain of ivy draped over the cliff did they straighten up again.

They then followed a pitch-black passage beneath the castle and arrived at an underground dock. There, Harry spotted a familiar black figure.

Several black lines appeared over his head. He waved his wand, sending the black toad flying over, then handed it to Neville with a laugh that was neither amused nor exasperated.

"Neville, stop losing Trevor. He'll be sad!"

Neville was overjoyed. "Merlin's Beard, you found Trevor for me again! Harry, you've helped me three times now. I'll definitely repay you!"

With the light Harry continuously provided, everyone proceeded up through the tunnel and emerged onto a flat, damp patch of grass. They continued onward, climbed a stretch of stone steps, and finally stopped before a massive oak door.

The moment they halted, as though she had sensed their arrival, a tall, black-haired witch in dark green robes stepped out through the door.

She looked stern and difficult to approach, but Harry knew that was simply a teacher's usual bearing.

From Hagrid's words, Harry learned her name.

"Professor McGonagall, the first-years have arrived."

Professor McGonagall swept her sharp gaze across them a few times. Once everyone had quieted down, she nodded in satisfaction.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take it from here. Young Wizards, follow me."

She led them deep into the castle. It was even more luxurious than Harry had imagined, less like a school and more like a palace.

Professor McGonagall led them through several twists and turns, up staircases, and finally stopped before a large door.

Harry could hear noise from beyond it. Those were the voices of other Young Wizards, who had presumably already taken their seats.

So what was the Sorting Ceremony?

Harry was somewhat curious. To his surprise, he had searched through all sorts of books without finding any detailed account of the Sorting Ceremony. He had only heard that it seemed to involve a hat.

Professor McGonagall instructed the Young Wizards, telling them about Hogwarts's history, the origins of the four Houses, and how the House Cup was earned. She particularly emphasized that the House Cup was the highest honor.

The other Young Wizards were extremely excited. Even Hermione was no exception. They could hardly wait to earn points and help the House they were about to join win the House Cup.

But Harry did not care about any of that. To him, the House Cup was no different from a little red flower. He had long passed the age when meaningless rewards like that could excite him.

"In a few minutes, the Sorting Ceremony will be held before the entire school. I suggest you tidy yourselves up before then. Try to look a little more presentable."

Professor McGonagall's gaze fell upon several Young Wizards whose clothes were in disarray. Only after they immediately straightened their attire did she leave.

It was only several minutes after the strict Professor McGonagall had left that the Young Wizards dared to whisper among themselves.

"How can they accurately decide which House to put us in?" Hermione asked Ron, who knew the most about the Wizarding World among the four of them.

Ron was not entirely sure either. "I suppose there has to be some kind of test. Fred said it would hurt us badly, but I think he was joking."

Then the discussions of the other Young Wizards drifted over.

"My brother told me we have to fight a Troll!"

"Waaah, but my mum told me we have to challenge a dragon..."

"Neither! Neither! We have to challenge a Hippogriff!"

The Young Wizards all brought grim news. Hermione nervously kept muttering spells, trying to cram at the last minute.

Ron was trembling as well, and even Harry was affected to some extent.

But unlike the other Young Wizards, Harry was considering whether he should go all out if he had to fight those Magical Creatures.

Though he did not know what the Sorting Ceremony involved, he knew it was absolutely safe.

Even so, he did not want to be chased around and beaten by a Troll or some other Magical Creature.

Perhaps he could simply kill them with a single slash of his sword. Whether it was a Troll, a dragon, or a Hippogriff, they would die if he cut off their heads!

But would that be too bloody?

Soon, Professor McGonagall returned, and everyone suddenly fell silent.

Professor McGonagall said, "The Sorting Ceremony is about to begin. Get ready and follow me."

Following Professor McGonagall's instructions, they formed a single line, passed through the entrance hall, then went through a pair of double doors into the magnificent Great Hall.

Students from the other years were already seated around four long tables. Numerous gleaming golden plates and silver goblets stood upon them.

Even Harry secretly marveled at the sight. Hogwarts was truly wealthy.

Thousands upon thousands of candles floated back and forth above the Great Hall, lighting it brightly.

The brightest area was the raised platform at the far end of the Great Hall, where a long table stood for the professors.

Harry noticed a familiar figure seated at the center of that table. He was tall and thin, with waist-length hair and a beard, both meticulously groomed without a strand out of place.

He was the owner of the portrait Harry had once seen on a card, the greatest wizard of the age by universal acclaim—Dumbledore!

As Harry looked at Dumbledore, Dumbledore looked back at him and gave him a nod.

Besides him, two other figures also caught Harry's attention.

One was a gaunt middle-aged man with greasy hair and a sallow complexion.

He was usually cold and expressionless, but whenever he looked at Harry, his emotions churned violently, twisting his features.

Harry found that expression rather familiar. It was much like the way Aunt Petunia had once looked at him.

Love and hate intertwined, his emotions complex and contradictory. He seemed to despise Harry, yet he also seemed to care deeply about him.

What was going on?!