The Hogwarts Express's whistle still echoed through the night sky as the new students surged toward the lakeside dock like a tide. Huge wooden boats, pulled by Thestrals—winged black horse-like creatures visible only to those who had witnessed death, though Lynn and Hermione saw only empty reins—waited upon the jet-black Black Lake. The deep waters reflected the brilliant Milky Way overhead and the castle's radiant lights in the distance, mysterious and solemn.
"Four to a boat!" boomed a voice like thunder. Rubeus Hagrid, the half-giant whose height nearly reached the roof of the dock's low shelter, held a massive lantern as he warmly called to the new students. His great beard glowed red in the lamplight, and his smile was warm and infectious.
Lynn, Hermione, Harry, and Ron were naturally assigned to the same boat. It rocked gently with the waves, carrying them slowly toward the castle, which looked like something from a fairy-tale dream. The closer they came, the more breathtaking the castle's grandeur became. Towering spires pierced the deep violet night, while thousands of windows shone with warm golden light, outlining countless pinnacles, arches, and flying buttresses. The hull glided across the water with a soft swishing sound, making the surrounding silence all the more profound, broken only by the new students' awestruck gasps.
Hermione gripped the side of the boat tightly, her little face lit by the castle's glow, looking both excited and nervous. She softly recited the chapter on the castle's architecture from Hogwarts, A History, trying to calm her racing heart with familiar knowledge. Sitting beside her, Lynn felt the steady warmth of the Star Stone. His gaze swept calmly over the magnificent stone walls and stained-glass windows glowing with mysterious halos, as if measuring the depth of this ancient magical fortress.
"It's so tall..." Ron craned his neck so hard it looked ready to snap. "I'd bet Filch has to climb stairs every day until he drops dead."
"They say the staircases move by themselves." Hermione immediately chimed in, with a faintly smug air of I know something you don't. "And there are ghosts! The book says Hogwarts has loads of ghosts!"
Harry did not seem very interested in ghosts. He gazed toward the highest tower, the lights reflected in his green eyes as though he were searching for something.
The boats finally arrived at a hidden underground dock. Led by Hagrid, the new students climbed a damp stone tunnel and eventually arrived before a massive oak door. Standing before it was a witch dressed in emerald-green robes, her expression stern and her hair gathered into a high bun—Professor Minerva McGonagall.
"Welcome to Hogwarts." Professor McGonagall's voice was clear and authoritative. Her gaze swept over the excited yet apprehensive new students, lingering briefly on Lynn and Hermione before she gave a slight nod. "The start-of-term feast is about to begin, but before you take your seats, we must first determine which House each of you belongs to. The Sorting Ceremony is an important tradition. Your House will be your home during your years at school, where you will study, live, earn honors, and perhaps... lose points together." Her final words carried a faint warning.
"There are four Houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each has a glorious history and has produced outstanding witches and wizards. The Sorting Ceremony will choose the House best suited to you according to your qualities." When she mentioned Slytherin, a barely perceptible scrutiny seemed to pass through Professor McGonagall's eyes.
She briefly introduced the four Houses' symbolic animals and defining traits—courage, loyalty, wisdom, and ambition—then gestured for the new students to straighten themselves up. "Line up and follow me."
The enormous oak doors silently slid inward, revealing a brightly lit Great Hall buzzing with voices!
The sight before them was enough to take anyone's breath away. Four long House tables stood parallel to one another, covered with gleaming golden plates and goblets. Thousands of candles floated in midair, illuminating the entire hall as brightly as day. Their warm light danced across gilded walls and enormous tapestries depicting magical scenes. Most astonishing of all was the ceiling—it was not a stone vault, but seemed like transparent glass, perfectly reflecting the glittering night sky outside! The Milky Way flowed, clouds rolled and drifted, vast and profound.
The older students were already seated, their eyes turning in unison toward the fresh faces at the entrance—curious, appraising, friendly, or indifferent. The professors sat behind the long table at the far end of the hall. At the central seat sat an elderly man with white hair and beard, half-moon spectacles, a long silver-white beard, and bright blue eyes gleaming with wisdom—Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. He smiled at the new students, his gaze gentle and welcoming.
Professor McGonagall led the new students to stand at the front of the hall, with their backs to the teachers' table and facing the entire student body. She placed an ancient pointed hat, battered, patched, and crooked at the tip, upon a high stool.
Just as the new students stared uncertainly at the filthy hat, a slit suddenly opened along the brim like a mouth! Then a loud voice, carrying an ancient rhythm and even somewhat out of tune, rang throughout the hall! The Sorting Hat began singing a ballad it had composed about the traits of the four Houses and its wishes for the new school year.
When the song ended, the hall erupted into enthusiastic applause. Professor McGonagall stepped forward and unfurled a long scroll of parchment. "When I call your name, please come forward, put on the hat, sit on the stool, and wait to be sorted."
"Hannah Abbott!" A girl with two golden braids and a rosy round face nervously ran forward. The hat had barely touched her hair before it shrieked, "Hufflepuff!"
Cheers and applause erupted from the second long table on the right. Hannah happily ran over and took a seat.
The Sorting Ceremony proceeded in an orderly fashion. Susan Bones also went to Hufflepuff. Terry Boot was sorted into Ravenclaw. When "Draco Malfoy" was called, the pale blond boy strode forward almost arrogantly. The hat had barely touched his impeccably combed hair before it sharply announced, "Slytherin!" The silver-and-green table immediately broke into restrained but loud applause. Malfoy walked proudly toward his new classmates, sweeping a provocative glance over Harry and Ron.
Ron's face had gone pale with nerves. He whispered to Harry, "If I don't get into Gryffindor, Mum will kill me..."
"Hermione Granger!" Professor McGonagall called.
Hermione's body visibly stiffened. She drew a deep breath, her small fists clenched tightly. She could feel every eye suddenly focusing on her. Lynn clearly saw the slight tremor in her shoulders and the flash of panic in her eyes. The moment she stepped forward, Lynn's hand at his side moved, his fingertips brushing hers with the lightest, quickest touch.
A gentle yet resolute current of warmth surged through Hermione's heart from her fingertips! It was the power of the Star Stone! At the same time, the Moon White Stone against Hermione's chest seemed to awaken, sending out a clear, soothing warmth that instantly swept away her tension and unease. She shot Lynn a quick glance and saw the silent encouragement and trust in his eyes. Her heart immediately filled with strength.
She straightened her back, no longer hesitant in her steps, walked forward, and sat steadily upon the high stool. Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat over her fluffy brown curls.
The hat almost covered her eyes. There was a brief silence—only a few seconds in reality, but it felt much longer to Hermione. She could feel the hat stirring through her mind, as though examining her memories and thoughts: mountains of books, an endless thirst for knowledge, helping Neville search for his toad on the train, that strange sense of dependence she felt toward Lynn, and... deep inside, the courage Lynn had ignited in her, the desire to prove herself...
"Hmm..." the Sorting Hat's ancient voice murmured in her mind. "A powerful thirst for knowledge, clear logical thinking. Without question, Ravenclaw would treasure that clever mind of yours..."
Hermione's heart leaped into her throat. Ravenclaw? Wisdom? Of course she longed for wisdom... but...
"Wait..." The hat's voice carried a hint of amusement. "There's something else? Oh? A burning courage to protect? To protect books? No... to protect... something more precious? To prove your own worth? To... not betray someone's trust?" The hat seemed to catch the fleeting image in her mind of Lynn's calm, encouraging face, along with that wondrous warmth from when their fingertips touched.
"Interesting... very interesting!" Excitement entered the Sorting Hat's voice. "Beneath such an intense thirst for knowledge burns an equally fierce determination to fight for what you wish to protect! This courage is not recklessness, but born of knowledge and cherishing! Then the place that suits you best is..."
The hat took a deep breath—if a hat could breathe—and its booming voice rang across the hall:
"Gryffindor!"
The long table on the right nearest the teachers' table instantly erupted with thunderous cheers, applause, and whistles! Red-and-gold banners fluttered wildly in the firelight. The twin brothers Fred and George Weasley let out piercing whistles, while Percy Weasley wore a restrained smile.
Hermione yanked off the hat, her little face flushed and glowing with excitement and joy, her large eyes sparkling with incredulous delight! She had done it! Gryffindor! She practically skipped toward the Gryffindor table, unable to resist glancing back at Lynn among the new students. Lynn was smiling at her and giving a gentle nod.
Hermione took an empty seat beside Percy and was immediately surrounded by warmly welcoming Gryffindor students. Yet her eyes remained fixed on that figure among the new students.
The Sorting continued. Neville Longbottom was not placed in Gryffindor until the hat had deliberated for nearly a minute—it seemed torn between his obsession with toads and his desire for courage—and he nearly forgot to return the hat to Professor McGonagall. Draco Malfoy gave a distinct snort nearby.
"Harry Potter!" The moment that name rang out, the entire hall fell into a strange silence. Every conversation vanished, leaving only the crackle of candle flames. Countless eyes focused on the skinny boy with round glasses and a lightning-shaped scar on his forehead.
Harry drew a deep breath and walked forward. The hat covered his head, hiding the scar. This time, the silence lasted longer. The hat appeared to be having an intense internal debate with him. Harry's brows knitted tightly, and his lips moved soundlessly. The hall was so quiet that a pin could have been heard falling as everyone held their breath.
Not Slytherin... not Slytherin... Hagrid's warning and Malfoy's arrogant face echoed repeatedly through Harry's mind.
"Not Slytherin, hmm?" The Sorting Hat's voice sounded in his mind, carrying a hint of teasing. "You have courage, and you're not bad at heart... You have talent too... Oh, heavens, so much talent... Slytherin could help you achieve greatness, without a doubt..."
Not Slytherin! Harry shouted firmly in his mind.
"Are you sure?" the hat pressed. "Well, since you insist... then..."
At last, the hat declared loudly:
"Gryffindor!"
The cheers from the Gryffindor table nearly lifted the Great Hall's enchanted ceiling away! Harry removed the hat, a brilliant smile of relief blooming across his face. He ran toward Hermione and Percy, where the excited Ron—who was next—and the twins vigorously slapped him on the back.
Ron's Sorting held almost no suspense. The instant the hat touched his flaming red hair, it shouted, "Gryffindor!" He let out a long breath and ran over to squeeze in beside Harry and Hermione.
Finally, Professor McGonagall called the last name:
"Lynn Li!"
Before you continue