"You two, did you really only meet today?"
Cassandra asked curiously. When Wentworth confirmed that they had, a strange smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.
"May Merlin protect you—no, both of you! If Merlin is willing, that is."
Without waiting for Wentworth to respond, Cassandra followed Hagrid onward, leaving Wentworth standing there, dumbfounded.
Soon, Hagrid led all the first-years along a winding path until they reached the shore of a vast lake.
"Everyone, this is the Black Lake. We'll cross it in boats and make our way to Hogwarts Castle. Remember, four to a boat. There must be four of you in each boat!"
At Hagrid's words, Wentworth leaned forward curiously to peer into the lake.
"What are you looking at?"
A first-year behind Wentworth asked.
"I heard there are monsters in the Black Lake. I'm seeing whether they're happy to have us here!"
Wentworth's words made many of the young witches and wizards around him instinctively take a step back. Several first-years who had been jostling to be the first aboard immediately began edging away from the lake.
"Honestly, you're all a bunch of cowards. Move aside, and don't get in my way!"
Cassandra strode toward the lakeshore, heading straight for one of the boats moored there.
But after Cassandra climbed aboard, none of the other first-years seemed willing to follow. It was hard to tell whether Wentworth's words had frightened them or Cassandra's imposing presence had made them hesitate.
Seeing this, Wentworth had no choice but to walk over and sit beside Cassandra. At last, two more first-years, whose names Hagrid called, climbed aboard reluctantly.
Then they set off across the lake.
When Hogwarts Castle first came into view, Wentworth couldn't help standing up.
Beneath the starlight, Hogwarts looked mysterious and magnificent. In his previous life, Wentworth had seen it countless times in the books and films, but seeing it with his own eyes made him realize just how inadequate words were. There was no way to describe even a fraction of this ancient castle's grandeur.
While Wentworth and the others were crossing the lake, Ilona had already arrived at Hogwarts Castle's Headmaster's Office with Professor McGonagall. Dumbledore was waiting for her there.
After seeing Ilona in, Professor McGonagall hurried away. After all, compared to Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Hogwarts' deputy headmistress, was the busiest person in the castle.
Looking at the wizard she had imagined killing countless times, Ilona gave him a radiant smile.
"Hello, Headmaster Dumbledore. I'm Ilona. It's a pleasure to meet you. You're the greatest white wizard of this age, and I've imagined meeting you countless times."
Dumbledore regarded Ilona with a gentle gaze. After a moment, he spoke.
"Hello, Ms. Ilona. You must be tired after your journey. The opening feast won't begin for a little while. Would you care for a Sherbet Lemon?"
Ilona waved her hand, politely declining.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Headmaster Dumbledore, but I think I'll pass. A generous student on the train gave me plenty of sweets."
Dumbledore nodded without pressing her, then smiled.
"Hogwarts students are all warm and welcoming. I'm sure you'll like it here! Ms. Ilona—no, I should call you Professor Ilona from now on."
Ilona gave him a perfectly measured smile and said with delighted surprise:
"So that means I've been hired, Headmaster Dumbledore?"
Dumbledore nodded in confirmation.
"Of course, Professor Ilona. Not everyone can look me in the eye and resist my Legilimency. I'm sure you'll become an excellent Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
"However, because of the time constraints, we can't have the students buy the books you requested. You'll probably have to continue using the previous Defense Against the Dark Arts textbook. Would that be all right?"
Ilona's smile grew even brighter as she replied:
"Of course, Headmaster Dumbledore. In fact, I don't need many textbooks!"
"That's good to hear, Professor Ilona."
"I believe in practical training!"
By the time Wentworth and Cassandra reached Hogwarts Castle by boat, Professor McGonagall was already waiting for them.
"Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Once we enter the castle, we'll begin with the Sorting Ceremony."
"As you all know, Hogwarts has four Houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. They were named after Hogwarts' four Founders."
As Professor McGonagall introduced Hogwarts, Wentworth couldn't help rolling his eyes and muttering:
"What a dull introduction!"
But Wentworth seemed to have forgotten that cats had exceptionally sharp ears—and Professor McGonagall was famously a cat Animagus.
"Mr. Wentworth, unless I'm mistaken, you are Mr. Wentworth, aren't you? It seems you have some better ideas about my introduction?"
Wentworth hadn't expected Professor McGonagall to hear his offhand mutter.
He was just about to step forward and apologize when he suddenly remembered his original plan: to stay away from Gryffindor and Slytherin. And the woman in front of him was the head of Gryffindor.
It might have been a little wrong to think this way, but if he could make Professor McGonagall dislike him, surely the Sorting Hat wouldn't put him in Gryffindor.
So Wentworth stepped forward without a trace of nervousness and addressed all the first-years.
"Yes, Professor McGonagall. I do think your introduction to Hogwarts' four Houses was far too simple. I imagine it's been the same for many years, without a single change. It's utterly unoriginal. Even the Muggle world is changing by the day. The Wizarding World should be developing, too!"
As she watched Wentworth speak so confidently, McGonagall thought to herself: Dumbledore, this boy really is a descendant of Grindelwald. He's destined to bring change to the Wizarding World, just like his grandfather.
And now he's become a Hogwarts student.
Though she thought this, Professor McGonagall didn't tell Wentworth to be quiet. She was famously strict, but she wasn't the sort of professor who forbade students from speaking.
"Well, Mr. Wentworth, it seems you know quite a lot about Hogwarts' four Houses. If you were in my place, how would you introduce them?"
Professor McGonagall stood at the front and looked at Wentworth as she asked.
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