Stepping off the train, Lucien saw a man of extremely large stature with thick hair and a beard, holding a lantern.
He was calling out in a loud, booming voice: “First years, this way, this way.
Hurry up, hurry up, don’t be shy.” Seeing this person, Harry stepped forward on his own initiative and greeted him: “Hi, Hagrid.” Hagrid lowered his head and smiled at Harry.
“Hello, Harry.
Are these children new friends you’ve met?” Hagrid scanned the three people, including Lucien, standing next to Harry, and asked in a muffled voice.
Harry nodded shyly and replied in a low voice: “I just met them on the train.” Hagrid smiled at the young wizards.
“Welcome to Hogwarts.
Alright, children, follow me!” Soon, Hagrid led the dozens of first-year young wizards to a pitch-black lake, the Black Lake.
Across the Black Lake, Lucien could already see the Hogwarts Castle.
A tall and imposing Gothic castle; it was now night, and lights were already flickering throughout the castle.
This ancient building, which had existed for over a thousand years, was showcasing the mystery and unknown of magic.
Lucien’s mood also stirred with excitement.
Hogwarts, here I come!
“Children, four to a boat.” After saying this, Hagrid found a small boat for himself and began to lead the young wizards forward.
Lucien naturally led Harry and the other two to get on a boat, slowly trailing behind Hagrid.
Looking from behind, Hagrid sitting down looked like a small mountain, and the waterline of his boat was deeper than that of the four young wizards combined.
The path they were taking now was said to be the path the four founders of Hogwarts took when they arrived.
Therefore, every year, new young wizards had to walk it upon enrollment, which was considered a ritual.
“Hey, which house do you all want to join?” Ron leaned in and whispered to Lucien and the others.
Knowing that the others might not understand the Hogwarts house system, Ron took the initiative to explain.
“There are four houses at Hogwarts: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin.
Every young wizard is sorted into a different house upon enrollment, and each of the four houses has its own characteristics…” After speaking, Ron shook his head and spread his hands.
“I don’t know which house you will go to, but I will basically be in Gryffindor.” Red-haired Weasleys are all in Gryffindor, no exceptions.
Harry did not express his thoughts.
After listening to Ron’s description, besides having some aversion to Slytherin, he felt the other three houses were fine, and he would be okay with any of them.
Hermione reached out to press down her brown hair, which had become even fluffier from the cold wind, and said: “I think Gryffindor is the best; Dumbledore came from Gryffindor!
And then maybe Ravenclaw; it sounds like a place very suitable for studying.” Hearing Hermione’s words, Ron curled his lip.
“My brother said that everyone in Ravenclaw is a bunch of bookworms, it’s not interesting at all.” Hermione raised the corners of her mouth, smiling with slight disdain: “Is that so?
Perhaps someone doesn’t even have the traits suitable for Ravenclaw?” Ignoring the rapidly blushing Ron, Hermione turned to ask Lucien: “Lucien, which house do you want to go to?” “I don’t have a particular preference, anyway, I can study magic anywhere.” Soon, the small boats docked, and a group of young wizards followed behind Hagrid, gathering in front of a huge oak door.
With a creak, the doors swung open.
A witch wearing emerald green robes walked out; it was Professor McGonagall.
“Professor McGonagall, the first-year new students are all here.” Hagrid pointed backward.
“Thank you, Hagrid, I will take it from here.
Children, follow me.” Professor McGonagall turned and stepped into the doorway first, and the young wizards followed closely behind, filing in one after another.
Completely different from the darkness and cold outside the door, the walls inside the castle were lined with burning torches, and countless candles floated in mid-air, filled with brightness and warmth.
Looking up at the ceiling, it was actually an illusory starry sky.
Facing this dreamlike scene of the ancient castle, many young wizards couldn’t help but exclaim, looking around with full curiosity.
Inside the hall, several long tables were arranged vertically, and the sides were already filled with senior students.
At the innermost part was a raised platform, on which only one long table was placed horizontally.
Teachers were sitting there, most of them looking at the newly enrolled young wizards with gentle eyes.
Walking to the steps, Professor McGonagall looked at the young wizards and said with a serious expression: “I am Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, Head of Gryffindor.” The young wizards all quieted down.
“Welcome to Hogwarts.
Before the opening 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 performance will earn points for your respective houses, while any violation of rules will result in point deductions for the house.
At the end of the year, the house with the highest score will win the House Cup…” Just as Professor McGonagall finished speaking, the hat beside her suddenly split open, and a hoarse voice came from it.
“My turn, my turn!
You may think I am not pretty, but never judge a book by its cover…
You may belong to Gryffindor, where there is bravery buried deep in the heart; you may belong to Hufflepuff, where people are upright and loyal…” Listening to a grayish-brown hat that looked ragged and patched singing loudly there, most of the young wizards looked at it in surprise.
They were all curious about why a hat could talk and sing, but no one listened carefully to what it was singing because it was really mediocre.
After the Sorting Hat finished its performance, it closed its mouth with satisfaction.
McGonagall picked it up and took out a list of students.
“The young wizards whose names I call should step forward.
Hannah Abbott.” Lucien watched from below as this little girl with a rosy complexion and two golden braids was the first to walk onto the stage.
McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on top of Hannah’s head, and the Sorting Hat didn’t hesitate much.
“Hufflepuff!” The senior students at the Hufflepuff table immediately applauded and cheered.
The first student this year was Hufflepuff; what a good omen.
They would have to eat more to celebrate later.
“…Hermione Granger.” After taking a few deep breaths, Hermione walked onto the stage.
After being placed on Hermione’s head, the Sorting Hat clearly thought for longer this time.
But it was quiet for less than a minute.
“Gryffindor!” Hearing this result, Ron turned his head and whispered to Harry: “She even mocked me for not having the traits of Ravenclaw, when she didn’t even get sorted into Ravenclaw herself.” Actually, his parents and brothers had all told Ron that the Sorting Hat only sorted based on the most obvious and authentic traits of the young wizard.
If the Sorting Hat hesitated longer, it meant the young wizard possessed more traits that fit different houses.
So Ron knew that Hermione should possess traits of Ravenclaw, but she just wanted to talk trash.
Harry did not respond to Ron because Lucien would be called soon, and he was also very curious about which house Lucien would go to.
“Lucien Greenwood.” When Lucien walked onto the stage, Professor McGonagall showed a rare smile.
The Sorting Hat was placed on Lucien’s head, its mouth-like slit pursed tightly, and the two depressions like eye sockets were flickering in size.
One minute passed.
Three minutes passed.
Five minutes passed.
Ten minutes passed…
As time went on, the expression on McGonagall’s face, standing to the side, gradually became strange.
When she was sorted back then, she also made the Sorting Hat consider for a full five minutes, which was already very long; it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call her a “Sorting Hat dilemma” student.
But the time Lucien was taking was a bit too long!
The professors at the teachers’ table also showed surprise and looked at each other; this was also the student they had seen with the longest Sorting Hat time.
Dumbledore, sitting in the middle seat, clasped his hands together, and a sharp glint flashed in his blue eyes behind his half-moon spectacles.
His interest and attention toward Lucien deepened a bit more.
The young wizards who had never waited so long before were getting anxious and started whispering.
“Could that ragged hat be broken?” “That can’t be, can magic items break?” “It looks like it, don’t you think this hat is ridiculously old?” “…” Harry, who had been staring at Lucien, felt his eyes were a bit dry, adjusted his glasses, and blinked.
Immediately, those beautiful emerald green almond eyes widened abruptly.
“Pro, Professor!
That hat is smoking!”