The Door to a New World

When Neville asked that question, Hermione gave him an approving look.

She had wanted to ask it herself, so this saved her the trouble.

"Seers do not easily divine their own futures." Silan spread his hands helplessly. "So I don't know which House I'll be going to either."

"You're so smart. Maybe you'll go to Ravenclaw..."

Halfway through his sentence, Neville suddenly noticed that Miss Granger's expression seemed to change. He hurriedly changed course. "Of course, you might also go to Gryffindor."

Only then did Hermione's expression return to normal.

She did not want to be separated from Silan.

Neville let out a sigh of relief inwardly.

He did not think that made him clever. Hermione's stare had simply been too frightening.

"Actually, any House would be fine. Being able to study at Hogwarts already makes me very lucky."

"It definitely won't be Slytherin." Hermione reasoned with a serious expression. "You're so kind and friendly. You're nothing like them."

As she spoke, she glanced outside the compartment, seemingly looking at those rude boys from earlier.

"That's right," Neville agreed.

In his eyes, although Silan wore shabby clothes, he was gentle and kind, always giving people a dependable feeling. He also spoke pleasantly, making people unable to resist believing him.

A wizard as mild-mannered, courteous, kind, and friendly as him was rare even among those ancient pure-blood families.

So there was no way he could be sorted into Slytherin.

Just then, the train passed winding rivers and grassy hills. The orange-red sun, like a boiled egg yolk, trembled as the horizon swallowed it bite by bite.

The train was nearly at the station.

"Let's put on our robes first. Ladies first."

Silan and Neville went outside and stood with their backs to the compartment door, blocking the glass with their bodies.

A few minutes later, Hermione had changed and opened the door.

"Your turn."

Neville and Silan went inside and began changing. Calling it changing clothes was a bit of an exaggeration; they were merely putting on their robes. Though the standard uniform also included a black pointed hat, it was rarely worn.

Just after changing, Neville began searching frantically around the compartment.

"Trevor's gone again! He's gone again!"

"I lost him again. He always wants to run away from me."

Neville was so anxious he was nearly in tears.

"Don't worry. I guarantee you'll find him at Hogwarts."

Silan felt rather helpless.

Trevor really was a conceptual god. In the blink of an eye, he had vanished. If Silan remembered correctly, Neville would either be looking for Trevor or on his way to look for Trevor from then on.

If that freedom-loving toad could give even a little of its courage to its owner, Neville would probably become Gryffindor's bravest student.

"Really?"

"Of course. I saw it in a divination, so don't worry."

[Silver Tongue: Proficiency +1]

There had definitely been no divination. Silan merely remembered that Trevor would appear on the boat to Hogwarts later.

As for why, he had no idea. Trevor had spent his entire life trying to escape and still failed. That was probably the sorrow of being a pet toad.

"What happened?" Hermione poked her little head in through the door and asked.

After Silan briefly explained, Hermione comforted Neville for a while as well, and he gradually calmed down.

"Seriously, Neville, you should learn Accio. That way, if Trevor goes missing, you can summon him directly instead of searching everywhere like this."

Neville wiped the corners of his eyes with his plain robes.

"I'll definitely learn Accio!"

As they spoke, a voice echoed through the train.

"In five minutes, the train will arrive at Hogwarts. Please leave your luggage on the train. We will deliver it to the school for you."

The train slowed more and more before finally coming to a stop. After the long journey, the young wizards had finally reached their destination.

"Aren't we getting off?" Neville looked at a lamp bobbing about on the platform.

"No rush. We'll get off after most people have left," Silan said calmly.

He had never liked squeezing through crowds.

After about six or seven minutes, they finally got off the train and arrived at a small, dark platform.

To be honest, Silan did not understand it.

Since wizards had spells like Scourgify, why did some things still look so dilapidated and covered in dust?

The oil lamp Neville had seen earlier floated toward them.

As it drew closer, the young wizards realized that it was actually a gigantic man carrying an oil lamp as he walked toward them.

"Whoa—" a red-haired boy exclaimed at Hagrid.

"First years! First years, over here!"

Hagrid's huge frame, coupled with his wild hair and thick beard, made quite a few young wizards nervous.

Though Hermione did not show any fear, she quietly grabbed the corner of Silan's robe.

"Follow me, first years!" Hagrid's rough voice rang out, sounding even more muffled in the night. "Watch your step. All right then, first years, follow me!"

Led by Hagrid, the young wizards stumbled down a steep, narrow path.

To accommodate the first years, Hagrid walked very slowly. A route that normally took three or four minutes took him over twenty minutes today.

After rounding the final bend, the young wizards boarded the boats to Hogwarts under Hagrid's reminder that no more than four people could ride in each boat.

Hermione, Silan, Neville, and an unfamiliar student boarded the same boat.

Beyond the mirror-still Black Lake stood a towering cliff.

Hogwarts Castle stood upon it, as though built amid the clouds, possessing a dreamlike beauty.

Under the brilliant moonlight, the castle's outline appeared and disappeared. The faint light shining from its windows resembled stars embellishing the night sky.

Hogwarts Castle (imagined version)

A bright lamp sat at the prow of every boat, trailing streams of light as the vessels crossed the Black Lake.

The young wizards on the boats all looked up at the massive castle that seemed to tower directly above them, unable to help holding their breath.

Recovering from the sight, Hermione noticed Silan staring at the boat and asked curiously:

"What are you looking at?"

"I was wondering why Hagrid's boat has the exact same draft as ours even though he's so heavy. Could there be some magic on the boats?"

"Perhaps... these boats are alchemical items. Traveling to Hogwarts by boat is a tradition for new students." Neville chimed in from beside them. "My grandmother told me..."

As they admired the scenery and discussed the boats' origins, they heard Hagrid's warning.

"Duck!"

All the young wizards lowered their heads.

The boats carried them through a curtain of ivy covering the cliff face, along a dark tunnel to the castle's underground harbor, and finally climbed onto ground covered in gravel and small pebbles.

Once the students had disembarked, Hagrid raised his lamp and went to inspect the empty boats.

"Whose toad is this?" Hagrid asked loudly, raising his lamp.

"Trevor!" Neville cried, rushing to Hagrid's side. "Thank you, sir."

"Thank you, Silan." Neville held Trevor tightly. "Now I believe I'll be sorted into Gryffindor."

Theodore Nott watched Neville walk over with the toad and made a disgusted expression before reaching out and shoving him.

"Get lost, you disgusting thing."

"Sorry..." Neville, caught by Silan before he fell, apologized with a tremble.

But the boy who had pushed him only pressed further. "How could someone like you possibly be sorted into Gryffindor? Coward. The Longbottom family really has no one left."

"I think you should hurry up and take a boat back. Otherwise, you'll probably be sorted into cleaning toilets."

Listening to Theodore Nott's endless mockery, Neville gritted his teeth, his face turning bright red.

"Silan's divination is accurate. I really found Trevor. I believe I'll definitely be sorted into Gryffindor."

The commotion quickly drew the other students' attention. They gathered around as if egging them on, mixed with laughter and whistles.

"Is that so?" Theodore followed Neville's gaze toward Silan. "So you're the one pretending to be mysterious?"

Seeing Silan's worn clothes, Theodore sneered. "No wonder you're doing those Muggle tricks here. It looks like even the Weasley family is richer than you."

The crowd immediately erupted in laughter.

Ron looked around and gave a dissatisfied snort.

"Even if he's right, I really want to punch him hard."

Harry pulled Ron back and whispered, "Wouldn't that break school rules?"

"We haven't started school yet."

"That's true. Then go ahead."

Before Ron could go punch him, Silan said unhurriedly, "Sir, we will all be classmates from now on. Why speak like that? If you are willing to apologize to Mr. Longbottom, I would be very pleased."

"Why should I care whether you're pleased? Why should I apologize to him? Look at how timid he is. How could he possibly be sorted into Gryffindor?"

"What are you doing?"

Having finished checking the empty boats, Hagrid heard the commotion and walked over carrying his lamp. The jeering young wizards were squeezed to either side of the path by him.

"Nothing. His clothes were dirty." Silan reached out and patted Theodore's collar, though the motion looked as if he were about to grab his throat, frightening him into hastily stepping back twice.

"All right, let's go." Hagrid pushed to the front of the crowd with his lamp and led the way.

"Hmph. We'll see about that."

Theodore flicked his sleeve and turned to leave, only for Silan to grab his sleeve.

"What if Mr. Longbottom really is sorted into Gryffindor?"

The young wizards watching the show crowded over again, while several who knew Theodore shouted and egged him on.

"Theodore Nott, say something!"

"What are you afraid of?"

"Make a bet with him!"

Theodore looked around at the crowd and yanked his sleeve back.

"If he really gets sorted into Gryffindor, I'll apologize to him."

Heh, he was not stupid. He refused to take the bait.

"You certainly know how to set terms. An apology was the price before, but now the price has gone up."

Silan turned and blocked his path. "If Mr. Longbottom is sorted into Gryffindor, you will lose ten Galleons to me and apologize to Mr. Longbottom."

Theodore glared at Silan without saying anything.

"Don't dare, Mr. Nott?" Silan stepped aside and said to the crowd, "It seems we have a real coward among us."

The crowd cheered, and for a moment, the air filled with merriment.

"I won't fall for your trick. Just you wait! Move!"

Theodore shoved several people aside and turned to leave.

Silan found it somewhat regrettable. He had thought this guy would be like some brainless villain, getting worked up from a little provocation and betting with him.

Being this cowardly was no fun at all.

By Silan's standards, failing to earn that money meant taking a loss.

The young wizards booed at Theodore's retreating figure.

"Thank you, Silan. The Nott family produced quite a few Death Eaters, and some of them were captured by my parents, so he always deliberately picks fights with me." Neville walked to Silan's side and spoke quietly. "You should be careful of him."

Silan nodded.

After enjoying the show, the young wizards turned and continued following Hagrid toward Hogwarts Castle.

Hagrid led them to a massive oak door, raised one enormous fist, and knocked three times on the castle gate.

The door opened in response.

A new world opened itself to Silan.