The Sorting Ceremony

After stepping off the train, Lucien saw an extremely tall, broad figure with thick hair and beard holding up a lantern.

He was calling out in a booming voice:

"First years, this way, this way."

"Hurry up, hurry up, don't be shy."

When Harry saw him, he took the initiative and went forward to greet him.

"Hi, Hagrid."

Hagrid lowered his head and smiled at Harry.

"Hello, Harry."

"Are these children new friends of yours?"

Hagrid glanced over Lucien and the other two standing beside Harry and asked in his deep, muffled voice.

Harry nodded shyly and answered in a small voice:

"We just met on the train."

Hagrid smiled at the young wizards.

"Welcome to Hogwarts."

"All right, children, follow me!"

Before long, Hagrid led dozens of first-year young wizards to a pitch-black lake: the Black Lake.

Across the Black Lake, Lucien could already see Hogwarts Castle.

It was a tall, magnificent Gothic castle. Night had fallen, and pinpricks of light had already lit up all over the castle.

This ancient building, which had stood for over a thousand years, was displaying the mystery and unknown depths of magic.

Excitement also stirred in Lucien's heart.

Hogwarts, I'm here!

"Children, four to a boat."

After saying that, Hagrid found a small boat for himself alone and began leading the young wizards forward.

Lucien naturally led Harry and the other two into a boat, slowly trailing behind Hagrid.

Even from behind, Hagrid looked like a small mountain as he sat there. The waterline on his boat was deeper than that of the four young wizards combined.

The route they were taking now was said to be the path the four founders of Hogwarts had taken when they arrived.

That was why every year, new young wizards had to make the same journey when they enrolled. It was regarded as a kind of ceremony.

"Hey, which house do you all want to get into?"

Ron leaned forward and whispered to Lucien and the others.

Knowing the others might not understand Hogwarts's house system, Ron began explaining of his own accord.

"Hogwarts has four houses in total: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin."

"Every young wizard is sorted into a different house when they start school, and all four houses have their own characteristics..."

After he finished, Ron shook his head and spread his hands.

"I don't know which house you lot will go to, but I'm basically bound for Gryffindor."

Red-haired Weasleys were all Gryffindors. There were hardly any exceptions.

Harry did not voice an opinion. After listening to Ron's description, aside from feeling somewhat put off by Slytherin, he thought the other three houses all sounded fine. Any of them would do.

Hermione reached up to press down her brown hair, which the cold wind had blown even bushier, and said:

"I think Gryffindor is the best. Dumbledore came from Gryffindor, after all!"

"Then Ravenclaw, I suppose. It sounds like a place well suited to studying."

Hearing Hermione's words, Ron curled his lip.

"My brother says Ravenclaw is full of bookworms. Sounds boring."

The corner of Hermione's mouth lifted, and she smiled with faint disdain.

"Really? Maybe someone simply doesn't have the traits suited to Ravenclaw."

Ignoring Ron, who rapidly went red with embarrassment, Hermione turned and asked Lucien:

"Lucien, which house do you want to go to?"

"I don't have any particular preference. I can learn magic no matter where I am."

Soon, the boats reached the shore, and the group of young wizards followed behind Hagrid, gathering before a huge oak door.

With a creak, the great doors swung open.

A witch in emerald-green robes stepped out. It was Professor McGonagall.

"Professor McGonagall, the first-years are all here."

Hagrid pointed behind him.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take it from here."

"Children, follow me."

Professor McGonagall turned first and walked through the doors, and the young wizards followed close behind, filing in one after another.

Utterly different from the darkness and cold outside, the castle walls were lined with burning torches, and countless candles floated in midair, filling the place with brightness and warmth.

When they looked up at the ceiling, they found an illusory starry sky above them.

Faced with this dreamlike castle scene, many of the young wizards could not help crying out in amazement, looking around with curiosity.

Several long tables were arranged lengthwise in the Great Hall, and both sides were already filled with upper-year old hands.

At the innermost end was a raised platform, with only one long table set across it.

One teacher after another sat there, most of them sizing up the newly enrolled young wizards with gentle eyes.

When they reached the steps, Professor McGonagall looked at the young wizards and said with a serious expression:

"I am Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts and Head of Gryffindor House."

The young wizards all quieted down.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. Before the start-of-term feast, the Sorting Ceremony will take place, and you will be sorted into different houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. During your time at school, this will be your home. Your outstanding achievements will earn points for your respective houses, while any rule-breaking will lose your house points. At the end of the year, the house with the highest number of points will win the House Cup..."

No sooner had Professor McGonagall finished speaking than the hat by her hand suddenly split open, and a hoarse voice came from within.

"It's my turn, it's my turn!"

"You may think I'm not so pretty, but never judge by what you see...

You might belong in Gryffindor, where courage lies buried deep within;

You might belong in Hufflepuff, where the people are upright and loyal..."

Listening to a shabby-looking, patched, grayish-brown hat belt out a song, most of the young wizards stared at it in astonishment.

They were all wondering why a hat could talk and sing, but no one listened seriously to what it was singing, because it really was nothing special.

Only after the Sorting Hat finished its performance did it close its mouth in satisfaction.

McGonagall picked it up and took out a list of students.

"When I call your name, come forward."

"Hannah Abbott."

Lucien watched from below as the little girl nicknamed the Iron Hat Queen, with a rosy face and two golden braids, was the first to go up onto the platform.

Haha, the Sorting Hat might come and go, but Hannah was forged in iron.

McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on Hannah's head, and the Sorting Hat barely hesitated.

"Hufflepuff!"

The older students at the Hufflepuff table immediately applauded and cheered. The very first student this year was Hufflepuff—what a good omen. They would have to eat a bit extra later to celebrate!

"..."

"Hermione Granger."

Only after taking several deep breaths did Hermione walk up onto the platform.

After it was placed on Hermione's head, the Sorting Hat clearly thought for a little longer this time.

But it was only quiet for less than five minutes.

"Gryffindor!"

Hearing this result, Ron turned his head and muttered quietly to Harry:

"She even laughed at me for not having Ravenclaw traits, when she didn't get sorted into Ravenclaw herself."

In fact, Ron's parents and brothers had all told him that the Sorting Hat sorted young wizards according to their most obvious and truest traits. The longer the Sorting Hat hesitated, the more it meant the young wizard possessed traits suited to different houses.

So Ron knew Hermione probably did have Ravenclaw traits, but he just wanted to run his mouth.

Harry did not respond to Ron, because Lucien's name was about to be called, and he was also very curious which house Lucien would go to.

"Lucien Grafton."

When Lucien walked up onto the platform, Professor McGonagall revealed a rare smile.

The Sorting Hat was placed on Lucien's head, its mouth-like slit pressed tightly shut, while the two hollows that resembled eye sockets swelled and shrank.

One minute passed.

Three minutes passed.

Five minutes passed.

Ten minutes passed...

As time passed, McGonagall, who was standing to one side, gradually began to look strange.

Back when she had been sorted, she had also made the Sorting Hat think for a full five minutes. That was already a very long time—enough for her to be called a Sorting Hatstall.

But Lucien was taking a little too long!

The professors at the staff table also showed surprise, exchanging looks with one another. This was the longest they had ever seen the Sorting Hat take with a student.

Seated in the middle, Dumbledore folded his hands together, and a sharp gleam flashed through the blue eyes behind his half-moon spectacles.

His interest in and attention toward Lucien deepened even further.

The young wizards, who had never waited this long before, grew a little anxious and began whispering among themselves.

"Could that shabby hat be broken?"

"No way, right? Magical artifacts can break?"

"It kind of looks like it. Don't you think that hat is absurdly old?"

"..."

Harry, who had been staring at Lucien the whole time, felt his eyes going dry. He adjusted his glasses and blinked.

Then those beautiful emerald-green almond eyes suddenly widened.

"P-Professor!"

"That hat is smoking!"