The young witches and wizards gradually gathered in front of Hagrid.
Hagrid reminded everyone to stay together, then took the lead, holding up his lantern as he entered a pitch black path.
Eventually, the group arrived at a vast black lake.
In the middle of the lake stood a mountain crowned by an ancient castle glowing brightly with lights.
Fel could see the castle’s towering cone shaped spires.
This was Hogwarts!
“Four students to a boat, and don’t fall behind!”
Hagrid called loudly.
Fel exchanged a glance with Hermione before stepping into one of the small boats first.
He held out his hand, and Hermione placed her little hand in his before he pulled her aboard with a gentle tug.
Neville climbed in beside them.
The last person to board was another familiar face from the original story.
Fel looked carefully.
It was Seamus Finnigan, the Explosion Genius himself!
This was the legendary boy whose spells always seemed to explode, although even he had no idea why.
Seamus looked sturdy and slightly slow witted, but he was very talkative.
The moment he climbed aboard, he began chatting with the other four.
Once everyone had boarded, the enchanted boats began moving on their own toward Hogwarts.
“I saw a road leading directly to the school over there. Why do we have to take boats?”
The Black Lake was dark and unfathomable, as though some terrifying creature lurked beneath its surface.
Seamus asked nervously.
Afraid of falling into the lake, Hermione clutched the corner of Fel’s robe and thought for a moment before answering.
“Hogwarts: A History says this is a traditional Hogwarts ceremony that honors the arrival of the Four Founders when they first came to Hogwarts.”
The nickname Miss Know It All was already beginning to take shape.
After the boats reached shore, Hagrid led everyone through the entrance and up the stairs.
Fel and Hermione immediately became more alert.
Standing before them was Professor McGonagall.
Professor McGonagall said solemnly, “In a moment, you will pass through the door behind me and enter the Great Hall, but before you take your seats, you will first be sorted into your Houses…”
After introducing the four Houses and explaining the House Cup point system, Professor McGonagall turned around, opened the doors, and went inside to check on the preparations for the welcoming ceremony.
“So the rumors were true. Harry Potter really has come to Hogwarts.”
A rather affected voice caught Fel’s attention.
A handsome blond boy with slicked back hair smiled at Harry.
Fel immediately recognized him.
Draco Malfoy, Harry’s lifelong rival.
Ignoring their conversation, Fel quietly reflected.
He did not think highly of Draco or his father Lucius.
Neither of them was a good person unless you viewed them through heavily tinted glasses.
Still, calling the Malfoys completely unforgivable would be going too far.
At least in the original story, they eventually switched sides.
For now, Draco was nothing more than an annoying little brat.
Lucius, however, was different.
He was a genuine Death Eater with countless crimes to his name.
At the same time, the Malfoy family’s wealth and influence were undeniably impressive.
The events of the past had already been left behind.
The Ministry of Magic had chosen not to pursue them, and Fel had no ability to interfere.
Simply put, their cowardice and incompetence had limited the extent of their evil, preventing them from walking all the way down the darkest path.
Draco could still be saved, but Fel had little interest in playing babysitter.
If Draco ever provoked him or Hermione…
Fel glanced at Hermione, who was frowning as she listened to Draco’s arrogant remarks.
Then Fel would make sure the very name Fel became enough to make Draco tremble.
Professor McGonagall returned and interrupted the conversation before leading everyone into the Great Hall.
The hall was filled with a sea of students.
Four enormous tables stretched across the room, each occupied by one of the four Houses.
The first years walked through the hall beneath countless floating candles and torches that illuminated the room with warm light.
Looking up, they could see clouds drifting across the enchanted ceiling beneath a bright moon that seemed almost within reach.
Hermione could not resist explaining to the nearby young witches.
“The sky isn’t real. It’s enchanted. I read about it in Hogwarts: A History.”
Fel smiled faintly.
Hermione’s urge to show off was perfectly normal.
Any other young wizard would have done the same.
Why didn’t they?
Well, because they had not read the book and simply did not know.
After all, who wouldn’t want to show off their knowledge in front of everyone else?
At the end of the hall, Fel first noticed a worn, shabby pointed hat resting on a stool.
It was none other than the famous Sorting Hat.
Behind it stood the staff table, where every professor was seated.
Fel quickly glanced across them.
They all looked much as he remembered.
“Before the ceremony begins, Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words.”
Before Professor McGonagall had even finished speaking, the elderly wizard seated at the center of the staff table rose to his feet.
He wore a dark red robe and a matching pointed hat.
His long white hair and beard were thick and flowing, and a pair of gold framed spectacles rested on his nose.
He looked warm and kind.
He resembled Santa Claus.
Just not quite as round.
“First year students, pay close attention.”
“No student is permitted to enter the Forbidden Forest or the corridor on the right side of the fourth floor.”
“That area is forbidden.”
“If you don’t want to die a horrible death, stay away from it.”
The moment Fel heard those words, he became even more interested.
Now he absolutely had to go.
“When your name is called, come forward. Once you have been sorted, take your seat at your House table.”
“Hannah Abbott!”
The future Queen of the Sorting Hat, Hannah Abbott, was a rosy cheeked girl with two golden braids.
She stepped forward and sat on the stool while Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on her head.
Very quickly, the Sorting Hat’s wrinkled face twisted before opening its mouth wide.
“Hufflepuff!”
Cheers erupted from the Hufflepuff table as Hannah Abbott happily walked over to join them.
One after another, the young witches and wizards stepped forward.
The Sorting Hat worked with remarkable speed.
“Fel, what if we aren’t sorted into the same House?”
Hermione became increasingly nervous.
Her slender fingers had tightened until they were almost white.
“I’ll probably end up in Gryffindor.”
“You know what my personality is like.”
“You could end up in Gryffindor too, or maybe Ravenclaw.”
Fel analyzed calmly.
“Hold firmly to your beliefs and tell the Sorting Hat what you want.”
“It will respect your choice.”
Fel glanced at Dumbledore.
“A great wizard once said that what truly matters is our choices.”
“You can choose what kind of person you want to become.”
“Hermione Granger!”
Hearing her name, Hermione took a deep breath and stepped forward.
This time, the Sorting Hat took noticeably longer.
It seemed rather conflicted, while Hermione quietly muttered to herself beneath the hat.
Finally, the Sorting Hat shouted, “Gryffindor!”
Hermione happily bounced like a little rabbit after taking off the hat.
She lightly slapped Fel on the shoulder before running toward the Gryffindor table.
“Harry Potter!”
Fel noticed that almost everyone was sitting up straight.
Even Dumbledore straightened in his seat.
As expected, Harry was sorted into Gryffindor.
The cheers from Gryffindor echoed throughout the Great Hall, and Dumbledore smiled as he applauded.
“Fel Hefis!”
Fel noticed that Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore were still sitting upright with unusually serious expressions.
Dumbledore even winked at him.
It seemed his mother really had been one of the good people.
Fel quietly let out a sigh of relief.
He certainly did not want to end up under permanent suspicion because of the mistakes of the previous generation.
He calmly sat down on the stool as Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat onto his head.