Entrance exam?

"Yes, the Sorting Ceremony.

My elders told me that the Sorting Ceremony before the feast for new students was rather difficult. We have to take a written test to determine which house we go to."

Anna nodded solemnly, and the little boy's face instantly changed color. He was at a loss.

Merlin's stockings! He hadn't so much as glanced at his new textbooks since they were bought!

James Potter wailed inwardly and shakily continued asking Anna about the test.

"There are a hundred questions in all: fifty single-choice questions, forty multiple-choice questions, and ten long-answer questions. They cover the basic knowledge in the new textbooks, with most of the questions on History of Magic and Astronomy.

For the long-answer questions, you also have to clearly explain your ideals and your goals for the future. That will determine which house you go to."

Anna sounded entirely convincing. Snape glanced sideways at her; if he hadn't known what the Sorting Ceremony was really like, he might actually have fallen for it.

Besides, History of Magic and Astronomy were the dullest subjects for young wizards, and the hardest to memorize. He had to hand it to her for coming up with that.

The three young wizards turned deathly pale at her words, while Anna calmly continued eating her ice cream.

"So, Mr. Potter, and Mr. Black here, since there's still some time, why don't you go back to your compartment and look over your textbooks? Maybe then you won't fail the Sorting Ceremony.

If you fail, Hogwarts will send you away."

"No, wait. If the Sorting Ceremony really is a test, why aren't you worried?"

Sirius Black spoke up. He was panicking too, but at least he was better off than Potter.

Because he had looked through his new textbooks!

"I read all the books three times after I bought them. It's just a test. Easy."

Seeing how calm she was, James Potter finally couldn't take it anymore. He jumped to his feet and pulled Sirius Black toward the door.

"Sorry, we're going back to look at our textbooks. We'll be off.

Hurry, hurry, Sirius! Get the textbooks out of the trunk!"

His voice was tinged with despair and soon faded into the train corridor. It seemed he had forgotten about the ice cream too.

After the two left, Snape quickly pulled out his wand and cast a Notice-Me-Not Charm on the compartment.

"Hm? Lily, why are you going through your trunk?"

"Anna, I only read the new textbooks once. I'll never pass the test!"

Lily said shakily.

"Oh, don't worry, dear. I was lying to them just now. I didn't want people I don't know sitting here when we have lunch later.

Hogwarts has a tradition of keeping the Sorting Ceremony a surprise, so I don't know exactly how they sort us either. I've only heard that it's easy. Trust me, put your textbooks away."

After Anna assured her repeatedly, Lily finally breathed a sigh of relief. Anna pulled the dishes Keke the house-elf had prepared that morning from her bag. A Warming Charm had been cast on them, and they were still warm even now.

The train continued onward. In the carriages, some people were happily eating lunch, while others had pulled out piles of textbooks and were painfully reviewing the basics.

Somehow, word of the matter got out. The older students were happy to see the new students being pranked, and even added plenty of embellishments.

That afternoon on the train, nearly every first-year had opened their new textbooks. They muttered the contents incessantly, their faces pale.

They didn't want to fail and get sent away!

At last, the train slowly came to a stop. Snape went out and changed into his uniform first, and pulled the curtains in the compartment shut while he was at it.

Anna and Lily quickly changed and came out as well. The three stepped off the train and immediately spotted Hagrid the half-giant at the front, holding up a glass lantern.

"First-years, gather over here!"

Anna hadn't thought much of it when she watched the films in her previous life. Only when she stood in front of Hagrid did she truly realize how enormous he was.

The new students trudged over dejectedly. Though Hagrid didn't understand why they looked like that, he still carried out his duties well and led them to the dock.

"Next, four to a boat. Hurry up, we're setting off."

Anna and her two companions naturally shared a boat, and another ordinary first-year joined them.

The student was still muttering passages from the textbooks, making Lily nearly burst out laughing.

Once all the new students were aboard, the little boats moved of their own accord without wind, slowly crossing Black Lake.

Under the bright moonlight, ancient Hogwarts Castle stood quietly on the heights, welcoming every young wizard who came to it, watching them grow up, graduate, and then leave.

She was a second home to every British wizard. Silent yet tolerant, she had always stood here, never changing.

"What are you looking at?"

Lily saw Anna staring at Hogwarts Castle in the distance, unwilling even to blink, and thought she had spotted something new and curious.

"The future.

I'm looking at our future."

She spoke softly, then looked away, a gentle smile spreading in her eyes.

The silvery moonlight cast a dreamy, hazy halo over her long hair. She seemed like a second moon in the lake, quiet and serene.

"Duck."

Hagrid's voice came from ahead. Everyone obediently lowered their heads, and the boats carried the new students beneath the cliff to a dock with a floor covered in pebbles.

"We're here. Everyone, follow me."

Carrying his oil lamp, Hagrid led them to an oak door.

He raised his hand, clenched it into a fist, and knocked three times on the door. The heavy oak door swung open, revealing a witch in emerald-green robes standing behind it. She was Professor McGonagall.

"All right, follow me now, new students."

Professor McGonagall led everyone into the castle. Anna, Lily, and Snape walked at the very back of the group. Anna could see James Potter glancing back from time to time, probably looking for them.

Apart from the three at the back, every young wizard wore a nervous expression. Professor McGonagall wasn't surprised; many new students had looked like that when they first entered Hogwarts in the past.

But why were the young wizards around her all discussing questions about History of Magic? Were children these days all so eager to learn? Professor McGonagall couldn't help looking gratified.

When they reached the waiting room, Professor McGonagall stopped at the front and surveyed the group of little children before her.

"Welcome to Hogwarts.

The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats, we must first determine which house you will enter..."