Unfortunately, most of the young wizards on the boat didn't have time to admire Hogwarts Castle through the rain; the cold rain made them shiver.
"Why do first-year students have to take a boat across the river?" Albert turned his gaze to the three people on the boat who were shivering from the cold.
"No, I don't know, and I don't want to know at all."
"Me too, it's so cold," the twins chimed in. They were practically freezing to death; who had the mind to care about such things?
Albert shook his head. He knew a little about the boat crossing ceremony. It was to allow new students coming to Hogwarts to follow the route that the four founders took when they arrived at Hogwarts Castle. The reason why the boats were for four people each was to represent the four founders. It was a kind of inheritance ceremony, so that the students who came here could feel the excitement and joy of the founders, and at the same time remember the hardships the founders went through to create the school.
But how many people truly understand these things now?
Hagrid, who guided them across the lake, probably didn't even know.
However, few students care about these things anymore.
"Watch out, duck down!" Hagrid shouted.
Upon hearing this, the freshmen immediately lowered their heads.
The small boat carried them through the cliffs and towards the dock below the castle.
"This is awful, I hate rain." One of the twins crossed his arms and sneezed.
Everyone was soaked to the bone and was shivering like leaves.
"How did you do that?" Lee Jordan asked in amazement. He noticed that the rain hadn't soaked Albert's robe and pointed hat.
"A simple spell," Albert explained softly, noticing the other people's gazes.
"Alright, everyone, follow me." Hagrid, carrying an oil lamp, led the new students up a gravel path to the lawn below the castle. Ahead of them was a set of stone steps leading to the castle's oak door.
A witch in a bright green robe stood before the oak door. Albert recognized her; she was Professor McGonagall, who had visited Albert's house once before.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take care of the freshmen." Professor McGonagall looked at the disheveled freshmen, and Albert could feel her lips twitching.
This is not surprising at all. The new students looked more than just disheveled. Almost everyone was soaked to the bone and covered in mud.
"First-year students, come with me."
Professor McGonagall led the new students into the castle, with Albert following behind, looking around at the thousand-year-old castle.
"That's Professor McGonagall, the head of Gryffindor. Percy said Professor McGonagall is very strict," George whispered.
"Oh, I've seen her once. My sister really enjoyed Professor McGonagall's trick of turning teacups into mice." Albert's attention was fixed on the stone wall, where he had always wondered if the blazing torches were the Eternal Flame.
It is said that there is a kind of celestial fire that can burn forever, which fits the scene before us perfectly.
"Let's go, what are you looking at?" Fred gently nudged Albert and urged him in a low voice.
"I'm wondering what kind of demonic fire that is; it shouldn't be an ordinary flame." The fact that there was no smoke indicates that it's not an ordinary flame.
Fred opened his mouth, but for a moment he didn't know what to say.
Albert planned to figure these things out later; the castle held many secrets worth exploring.
After Albert conceived the idea of exploring the castle, a quest suddenly popped up on the panel:
Hogwarts, a school with a history spanning over a thousand years.
Hogwarts is an ancient and mysterious magic school that has existed for over a thousand years. This ancient castle hides countless secrets, and as a curious explorer, you shouldn't miss this opportunity. Explore Hogwarts Castle before graduation and uncover its hidden secrets.
Current progress: 1%.
Rewards include 1,000-100,000 experience points and 1-10 skill points.
"Holy crap!" Albert couldn't help but curse in his mind; he was absolutely stunned.
This was definitely the most prestigious mission he had ever seen.
Is this forcing me to become a night owl?
It seemed that mastering the Disillusionment Charm needed to be put on the agenda sooner. Albert began to consider how to obtain the incantation for the Disillusionment Charm.
The freshmen were led by Professor McGonagall into the sorting room, which was not very spacious, and everyone was crammed together.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall said in her annual opening remarks. "The opening banquet is about to begin, but before you take your seats in the dining hall, you should first determine which house you will be attending..."
Like a leader's speech in a past life: I'll say a few words here, and then I'll ramble on for more than half an hour. Professor McGonagall, although not as exaggerated, still spoke for more than ten minutes.
Albert's words to Professor McGonagall can be summarized in three points: accommodation, sorting, and the College Cup.
After explaining the usual Hogwarts rules, Professor McGonagall had all the new students line up so she could clean the water and mud off them.
As the school's vice-principal, Professor McGonagall could not tolerate the new students entering the hall like this; their disheveled appearance was a disgrace to Hogwarts.
The new students were all crowding into the queue, hoping to dry their clothes as quickly as possible, as the dampness and cold made them very uncomfortable.
"Is this like sardines being squeezed together?" Albert looked at the group of freshmen with interest, took a step back, and stayed at the back of the line. The rain did not affect him much.
Professor McGonagall moved quickly, skillfully using the Descaling Charm and the Drying Charm. It probably only took a few minutes before it was Albert's turn.
She glanced at Albert with a hint of surprise, then cast the same spell on him, instantly making his clothes dry and warm, and the mud splattered on his boots and trousers disappeared.
"Now, please keep quiet," Professor McGonagall said loudly. "I'll come get you when they're ready over there."
After Professor McGonagall left the room, everyone was whispering about the Sorting House.
"How should we divide the students into departments?"
How can they accurately assign everyone to the right college?
"Perhaps, some kind of test needs to be conducted."
Everyone was nervous when the test was mentioned.
Watching this scene, Albert suddenly wanted to laugh. He understood why others were unwilling to tell freshmen about the sorting process.
What a bunch of people with twisted tastes!
"Aren't you nervous at all? I'm Aria Spinnett." A young girl approached and spoke to her; Albert had given her a hand earlier.
Of course, the girl approached him to talk, probably because of Albert's composure; no matter how you looked at it, he seemed like someone who knew the secret of the Sorting House.
In fact, she was right.
"As long as I don't go to Slytherin, I'm fine with it," Albert shrugged. He didn't reveal anything about the Sorting Ceremony at all, and it was actually quite amusing to see the freshmen looking so nervous.
Okay, Albert admits he does have a bit of a quirky sense of humor.