Kael had always been curious about how the new students' boats at Hogwarts actually moved.
Previously, he always thought it was magic, but now he was beginning to doubt that.
Because after observing for a long time, Kael couldn't find any trace of magic on the boats.
And then there was Hagrid, a half-giant nearly four meters tall, who clearly weighed much more than four first-year young wizards, yet his boat's draft was exactly the same as the others. This was obviously not normal.
Of course, it might be that these boats had some advanced and hidden magic cast on them, or they could simply be some kind of alchemy items, but Kael was more inclined to believe that something underneath the lake was supporting the boats.
"Is it the giant squid?"
He leaned over and took a quick look beneath the water surface, but regrettably, the visibility of the Black Lake at night was too low, and he couldn't see anything besides his own reflection.
...
Soon, the boat moved out of the tunnel and docked at a place resembling an underground pier.
Everyone disembarked and followed Hagrid to a pebbled path, which eventually led to a flat, damp grassland beneath Hogwarts Castle.
Then they followed the stone steps to a giant oak door.
"Welcome to Hogwarts."
After Hagrid said this, he turned around and raised his giant fist, knocking three times on the castle door.
The door opened in response.
A black-haired witch in an emerald green robe stood at the entrance.
One has to admit, some people enter a room carrying an aura of silence, like the homeroom teacher appearing at the classroom's back door, making everyone instinctively quiet down.
Professor McGonagall was just such a person.
As soon as she appeared, the surrounding chatter abruptly ceased.
Even Hagrid became noticeably more reserved and spoke solemnly, "The first-year students have arrived, Professor McGonagall."
"Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take it from here."
Professor McGonagall glanced over the crowd and then opened the door, leading everyone into the castle.
On the stone walls around the castle, torches burned fiercely, sending a rush of heat that dispelled the chill from outside, comforting many of the young wizards who had been shivering from the cold.
To their right was a tightly closed door, and Kael could hear the buzzing conversation from within.
However, Professor McGonagall didn't stop here; she led them to an empty room at the other end of the hall.
"First of all, welcome to Hogwarts."
As everyone took in their surroundings, Professor McGonagall expertly delivered her annual opening speech.
"The start-of-term feast is about to begin, but before you take your seats in the auditorium, we first need to determine which house you'll join. Sorting is a very important ceremony because your house will be like your family at Hogwarts during your time here..."
Even though he already knew everything about this, Kael still listened very attentively.
He had to pay attention, being in the front row and right under Professor McGonagall's watchful eye. If he were to slack off now, his days at Hogwarts would be tough.
Besides, this was a famous moment and there was only one chance to witness it, so naturally, Kael didn't want to miss it.
At this point, Professor McGonagall had already finished explaining about the House Cup and began introducing the four houses.
They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin.
Or, to put it more simply, the brave, the eaters, the nerds, and the pure-bloods.
At this point, all the young wizards around were listening very carefully, their eyes full of longing, and they occasionally glanced towards the auditorium as if they couldn't wait to rush in.
It was clear that this was the moment they anticipated the most.
...
"In a few minutes, the sorting ceremony will take place in front of the entire school. I suggest you take this time to straighten yourselves up and look a bit more spirited."
"I'll come to get you when they're ready over there." Professor McGonagall gave everyone a final glance: "While waiting, please keep quiet."
I have to say, Professor McGonagall's last remark was a bit redundant. Once she left the room, the silent mode was instantly lifted.
A group of young wizards gathered together, excitedly discussing the possible upcoming events.
"How are we going to be sorted, do we get to choose by ourselves?" A little witch asked nervously.
This was the question on everyone's mind.
"Maybe there's some sort of test, like at Smidt Middle School," a young wizard from a Muggle background said loudly, turning to his companion: "I was already accepted to Smidt Middle School when I received my Hogwarts letter, but I chose to come here instead... I mean, Professor McGonagall convinced my mom, who was originally insistent I go to Smidt Middle School."
Such a boast of achievement, but unfortunately with little effect.
After all, everyone was focused on the sorting ceremony, who cared about some Smidt Middle School, and some of them didn't even know what it was.
"I think the heads of the houses pick their own students," someone confidently stated, "Ilvermorny is like that, only they use statues. My dad is friends with the Minister of the Department of International Magical Cooperation at the Ministry of Magic, he told me."
This one was showing off his dad.
But compared to the previous test, what he said was more convincing and instantly gained a lot of supporters.
This made him very proud, tilt his head up, telling everyone how amazing his dad was.
An outsider might think his dad was the Minister of Magic.
At this moment, Kael suddenly felt someone tugging at his robe sleeve and turned to find Conna looking at him nervously.
"Kael, is it really the heads that choose?" Conna asked anxiously, "What if no house wants me, will I get expelled?"
"Don't worry, that won't happen." Kael smiled reassuringly, "Just think about it, Ilvermorny and Hogwarts are two different schools, there's no way they'll use the same sorting method, it would be too unoriginal."
"I see..."
Conna breathed a sigh of relief and continued to ask, "Do you know how we're sorted then?"
"Well... yes."
Kael thought for a moment and decided to tell the truth, leaning in to whisper in Conna's ear,
"It's nothing really, just that everyone gets hit with an Avada Kedavra curse by a professor, those who survive get to enroll, don't worry, you won't get expelled."
...
Coincidentally, at this moment, a ghost happened to float by in front of them.
Kael turned his head and naturally waved, "Hello there, senior, we're about to be sorted too, wish us success."
Although the ghost couldn't understand what the young wizard was saying, it nodded in response to being greeted.
Seeing this, the light in Conna's eyes instantly disappeared, and she stood there dumbfounded, like she'd lost her soul.