If You Can't Beat Them, Join Them

Kyle had always been curious about what actually propelled the small boats carrying the new students to Hogwarts.

He had previously assumed it was magic, but now he was starting to have his doubts.

Because Kyle had been observing for a long time, yet he had failed to detect even a trace of magic on the boats.

Then there was Hagrid, a half-giant nearly four meters tall; no matter how one looked at it, he was significantly heavier than four first-year students, yet his boat sat at the exact same water level as all the others, which was clearly abnormal.

Of course, it was possible that these boats had been enchanted with a more advanced and subtle form of magic, or perhaps they were simply some kind of alchemical object, but Kyle was more inclined to believe that something beneath the lake was supporting them.

Could it be that giant squid?

He leaned out to peer into the water, but unfortunately, the visibility of the Black Lake at night was far too low, and he could see nothing but his own reflection.

Soon, the boats left the tunnel and docked at a place resembling an underground pier.

Everyone disembarked one after another, following Hagrid up a path paved with cobblestones until they finally reached a flat, damp patch of grass beneath Hogwarts Castle.

Afterward, they followed the stone steps to a massive oak door.

"Welcome to Hogwarts."

After Hagrid finished speaking, he turned and raised his enormous fist, knocking three times on the castle gate.

The door swung open at the sound.

A stern-looking witch with black hair, wearing emerald green robes, stood before the entrance.

One had to admit, some people carried an aura of silence with them wherever they went, much like a head teacher appearing at the back window of a classroom; anyone who saw her would instinctively shut their mouths.

Professor McGonagall was exactly like that.

The moment she appeared, the noisy chatter around them came to an abrupt halt.

Even Hagrid became noticeably more reserved, saying in a serious tone, "The first-years have arrived, Professor McGonagall."

"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take it from here."

Professor McGonagall swept her gaze over the group, then pulled the door wide open and led them into the castle.

The stone walls surrounding the castle were lined with flaming torches, and a wave of heat rushed toward them, dispelling the cold from outside and putting many of the shivering young wizards at ease.

To their right was a closed door, and Kyle could clearly hear the buzzing sound of voices coming from within.

However, Professor McGonagall did not stop there, instead leading them into an empty room at the other end of the entrance hall.

"First of all, welcome to Hogwarts."

As everyone looked around at their surroundings, Professor McGonagall expertly recited her annual opening remarks.

"The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you must first be sorted into your respective houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be like your family at Hogwarts..."

Although he already knew everything about this, Kyle listened very attentively.

He had to; after all, he was standing in the front row, right under Professor McGonagall's nose. If he were to zone out now, his life at Hogwarts wouldn't be very pleasant.

Besides, this was a classic scene, and since it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, Kyle naturally didn't want to miss it.

By now, Professor McGonagall had finished explaining the House Cup and began introducing the four houses.

They were Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin.

Or, to put it more simply: the reckless, the foodies, the nerds, and the pure-bloods.

When she reached this part, the young wizards around him listened with rapt attention, their eyes filled with longing, glancing toward the direction of the Great Hall every now and then as if they couldn't wait to rush in.

It was clear that this was what they were looking forward to the most.

"In a few minutes, the Sorting Ceremony will take place in front of the entire school. I suggest you tidy yourselves up while you wait so that you look presentable."

"I will come for you when they are ready," Professor McGonagall said, taking one last look at the group. "Please remain quiet while you wait."

It must be said that Professor McGonagall's last sentence was truly redundant; the moment she left the room, the "mute mode" was instantly deactivated.

The group of young wizards huddled together, excitedly discussing what might happen next.

"How are we going to be sorted? Do we choose for ourselves?" a young witch asked, looking nervous.

This was the question everyone cared about most.

"Maybe we have to take some kind of test, like at Smeltings Academy," a Muggle-born wizard said, turning to his companion and speaking loudly. "I had already been accepted to Smeltings Academy when I received my Hogwarts letter, but I chose this place instead... I mean, Professor McGonagall convinced my mother, who had insisted I go to Smeltings."

He was showing off his academic record, but the effect was poor.

After all, everyone was currently preoccupied with the Sorting, and who cared about some Smeltings Academy? Besides, some of them didn't even know what Smeltings was.

"I think the Heads of House pick their own students," someone said confidently. "That's how Ilvermorny does it, only they use statues. My father is friends with the Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation at the Ministry of Magic, and he told me so."

This one was showing off his father.

However, compared to the previous theory about tests, his words were clearly more persuasive and instantly gained a large number of supporters.

This made him incredibly proud, and he walked around with his head held high, telling everyone he met about his father.

Anyone who didn't know better might have thought his father was the Minister for Magic himself.

Just then, Kyle suddenly felt someone tugging at his robe sleeve, and upon turning his head, he discovered Kanna looking at him with a nervous expression.

"Kyle, is it really the Headmaster who chooses?" Kanna said apprehensively. "What if no house wants me when the time comes? Will I be expelled?"

"Don't worry, that definitely won't happen," Kyle said with a smile. "Think about it, Ilvermorny and Hogwarts are two different schools; how could they possibly use the same sorting method? That would be far too lacking in class."

"Is that so..."

Kanna let out a sigh of relief and continued to ask, "Then do you know how we get sorted?"

"As for that... I do."

Kyle thought for a moment and decided to tell the truth, leaning in to whisper secretly into Kanna's ear:

"It's nothing much, really; each person just takes one Avada Kedavra curse from a professor. Whoever survives gets to enroll. Don't worry, you definitely won't be expelled."

As luck would have it, a ghost happened to drift past them at that exact moment.

Kyle turned his head and waved naturally, saying, "Hello there, senior. We're about to be sorted ourselves, so wish us luck."

Although the ghost didn't understand what the little wizard was saying, seeing someone greet him, he still instinctively nodded in response.

Seeing this scene, the light in Kanna's eyes vanished in an instant, and she stood there woodenly, as if her soul had left her body.