After leading them off the boats and checking that no one had been left behind, Hagrid handed the first-years over to Professor McGonagall, who had already been waiting for some time.
Professor McGonagall spotted Altair and Hermione among the crowd, and a faint smile appeared on her face, though it vanished just as quickly, replaced by her usual stern expression.
"Welcome to Hogwarts!"
Professor McGonagall addressed the young witches and wizards in her cool, crisp voice, one that naturally made people feel she was very strict.
"The Start-of-Term Feast will begin shortly. But before you enter the Great Hall and take your seats, there is one more thing that must be done, and that is the Sorting Ceremony. Only after you have been Sorted will you be permitted to sit at your House table."
After giving them some basic information about the four Houses, along with a few of the rules they were expected to obey and the standards for losing points, Professor McGonagall finally turned away with composed ease and lightly tapped her wand.
The castle doors swung open by themselves, and the braziers inside burst into flame one after another.
The whole passageway was flooded with light.
It was a winding staircase leading upward. Professor McGonagall led them inside, up the stairs, and at last stopped before the doors of the Great Hall.
"Now, form a single line and keep quiet."
Professor McGonagall gave the order, and everyone arranged themselves as instructed. Then she opened the doors, and all of them followed her through the entrance hall and into the Great Hall.
"Wow!"
"Whoa!"
"Oh my God!"
Exclamations like these rang out all around Altair.
Even Hermione was clutching his robes more tightly, utterly stunned by the magnificent grandeur of the castle's Great Hall.
Truth be told, even Altair felt shaken by it.
He had seen the films before, but honestly, the castle on screen was nothing compared with what stood before him now.
Four enormous long tables filled the Great Hall, and the older Hogwarts students were already seated there, watching the first-years with great interest written across their faces.
Above them floated tens of thousands of candles.
Their warm light illuminated every corner, leaving not the slightest trace of shadow.
The tables were covered with golden plates and goblets, along with matching silver cutlery. At the very front of the hall stood another long table, where the Hogwarts professors were seated.
Altair recognized many familiar faces, including the kindly Headmaster Dumbledore, the proud and sharp-featured Professor Snape, and Quirrell with his turban wrapped around his head.
Beyond the sea of candles, the enchanted ceiling stretched overhead like a river of stars, with silver bands drifting across it and meteors flashing by from time to time. It was dazzlingly beautiful.
The young witches and wizards were all stunned speechless.
It was not until Professor McGonagall called to them several times that they came back to themselves and followed her to the front of the hall, where she stopped beside a stool.
Then Professor McGonagall placed a pointed wizard's hat on the stool. It looked extremely old, patched in several places, and stained with age.
Everyone in the hall was staring at the hat. Hermione looked as though she wanted to say something, but then she felt Altair tug lightly at her sleeve.
A moment later, under the astonished gazes of the first-years, the hat seemed to stretch itself, then began to sing.
Altair listened to it with a stiff expression until the song ended, and the hat bowed politely to the hall.
The older students and professors began to applaud, and the young witches and wizards quickly joined in.
Once the applause had died down, Professor McGonagall stepped forward holding a roll of parchment and said, "Now, when I call your name, you will come forward, sit on the stool, put on the hat, and wait to be Sorted."
Professor McGonagall glanced at the parchment.
"Hannah Abbott!"
Altair looked toward the girl being called. She was a blonde with slightly flushed cheeks. Taking a deep breath, she carefully walked up to the stool.
Hannah put on the hat. After a moment, Altair heard it shout:
"Hufflepuff!"
The girl seemed to let out a breath of relief. Applause and cheers erupted from the Hufflepuff table. She took off the hat and hurried over to join them.
"Susan Bones!"
Professor McGonagall called the next name.
One by one, the young witches and wizards were sorted into their Houses.
Soon, it was Hermione's turn.
She looked first at Altair, then took a deep breath and walked up.
The Sorting Hat fell silent for a moment, as though it were speaking to Hermione, though Altair could not hear what it was saying. He only saw the hat twitch twice before it cried out:
"Gryffindor!"
A burst of cheering rose from the Gryffindor table. Hermione took off the hat, glanced toward Altair with a hint of expectation in her eyes, then ran toward the Gryffindor table.
After Hermione, Ron and Harry were both sorted into Gryffindor as well.
Very soon, it was Altair's turn.
"Altair Shelby."
Professor McGonagall looked at him, encouragement in her eyes. Even Dumbledore, seated farther back, seemed to straighten slightly, clearly having already heard about Altair from Professor McGonagall.
Altair stepped forward, placed the Sorting Hat on his head, and sat down on the stool.
"Hmm... what astonishing talent. Such dark and wicked power.... I have never seen a wizard with talent this frightening. Greater than the four founders. Greater than Merlin. Greater than Dumbledore."
The Sorting Hat's voice sounded in Altair's ear.
"Deep in your heart lies a startling ambition, yet you also know how to hide yourself... hmm, a perfect Slytherin."
The Sorting Hat muttered in Altair's ear, and then its tone shifted.